Whats up yall, just got my SC400 about 3 months ago, ever since I got it the lights would dim down as soon as I put a load on it(turning on the lights, hazards etc). Recently I got a new cluster and fixed a ground where the radio sits. Which did help with the flickering of the lights.I decided to put in my old cluster back in because I wanted to see what was working and what wasnt to send it out to be repaired. I was driving then everything dimed down. But was holding steady. I pulled over and decided to put in my new cluster I plugged everything in or I thought I did and as soon as I turned my key to start it . I heard a loud POP and everything shut off and had 0 power like a dead battery. I would open the door and I can barely hear the door chime and the lights were maybe 99% dim. Mind you im pulled over in a busy street. Eventually I jumpstart the battery with a different car and fired up like nothing ever happened. I drove home but the lights started to dim very bad to point of the car dying. But no battery light? The SC is drivable but as soon as I plug in my phone or use the headlights the car would start to die. Also the battery is about 3 months old and the alternator is about 2 months old. HELP!

 

Check that the power steering pump isnt leaking onto your alternator and check the power cable going to the alternator make sure its tight.Get a voltmeter and check your volts on the battery while running. it should be above 13.2v

 

Thank you for replying, I also have a new power steering pump which isnt leaking, Before changing the alternator I checked the battery and it was jumping from 12.5 volts to 13.5 volts but wasnt dying. You could be right I havent checked that cable. I have a video of it too.

 

No problem you could also look the condition of the ground cable on the battery. there is a power cable the goes from the battery to your fusebox. Make sure your belt tension is good. usually that will cause a battery light so probably not it but cost nothing to check.

 

Thank you for telling me, I have checked and the power cable from the battery that goes into the fusebox is good. Belt tension is okay and the alternator belt isn't in such good condition. I have a new one already just need to install it. Also forgot to mention when the car dies on its own. It will not restart and act as if had a dead battery. I have to go thru the process of jumpstarting the battery and fires up. If I turn it off on my own it would restart. I will also check the power cable going into the alternator and see how that looks.

 

When you say the volts were jumping from 12.5 to 13.5 do you mean it goes back and forth or it stays at 13.5? Also what alternator did you install?

 

Update: it has been fixed with a very simple yet weird issue. It was the negative terminal receiving no power what so ever. Also when I got the car I had to replace the positive terminal too the previous owner really f'd everything. But its way better now and not dying anymore. and the volts arent jumping anymore it would jump around randomly and even go to 11 volts. the car literally ran on straight alternator.

 

great!!!so the Negative cable off the battery?Thanks for update of the thread!!!

 

yup I barely got it into my shop it kept dying had to tow it. But yeah they were just not giving any power to my battery at all. The terminal itself.