ELECTRICAL GREMLIN

JRZ2500HD · February 11, 2005

First of this what I have, Silverstar high and low beams, Painless wiring kit for low on with the high, and last I have a set of PIAA's that have the hot for the relay hooked into the running lights. While driving with the low beams on driver side low goes out. So I check the bulb, looks good. So I put the high beams on and all the lights are on, even the low beam that was out, so I figure that the fuse in the panel on the hood blew. Then a couple minutes later with the high beams on and of course the PIAAs, both PIAAs went out and the low beams. But when I put the low beams on the pass. side only comes on. I checked the fuse on the PIAAs and it was good but atleast one of the bulbs are out and they are two weeks old. After this happened I noticed that the volts were only reading 11.5-12 volts and they normally run 14 or 15. And of course I just ran out of warrenty about 1000 miles ago. I can use all the help I can get. I will definately look into this more tomorrow.

This morning I get in and start her up, voltage ran low as normal on start up then it climbed to normal. I wonder if there was a power surge or something but that wouldn't explain the PIAAs blowing the bulbs and not the fuse. I guess i'll change the grey highlight fuse first and go from there.

Well I went out to lunch check bulbs, both PIAAs and driver low beam. I got a new hdlp low relay since I thought that this is what was wrong, so I may have an extra now. But what does that relay control, because two of the prongs 30 & 87 look like they have burnt soot on them. And while I was out volts were running in the 14-15 range then they dropped to 12-13. Whats the best way to check the alternator? And thanks for any help.

Haulin' 8.1 · February 11, 2005

You should be checking all of your ground connections from the battery cable to the bulbs. Ground straps also. Poor grounds cause exceesive heat in circuts and varied voltage outputs from alternators.

The best way to check an alternator is with a voltmeter, with a good charged battery, turn everything on you can and have it in gear if auto, it should have over 13.5 volts D/C and less than .4 volts A/C. Load check the battery first.

Vernon