Electrical problem

[Grimm]

I have a 2001 Chevy Malibu LS, it has an electrical problem that has developed recently. The lights dim erraticaly, not so much that it is undrivable, but I am concerned. It's most noticible when I turn off the engine. The lights flicker before going out, all of them, from the headlights to the dome light.
Occationaly I get errors with other electronic components. Notable the radio reported and Error, that's what it did, it said "Error" on the display and did nothing. A few times my antilock brakes light came on, restarting the car always makes it resst properly though.

Any ideas as to what this could be caused by?

[mechmike0034]

Tighten your battery cables - simple things first. If they're corroded, clean them or replace the cables themselves.

ABS in particular is very sensitive to low voltage.

Is the battery factory? How old is it?

[Grimm]

Tighten your battery cables - simple things first. If they're corroded, clean them or replace the cables themselves.

ABS in particular is very sensitive to low voltage.

Is the battery factory? How old is it?
The battery is under a year old.
I will check the battery cables when I get home tonight.

What could be causing low voltage? The power never stops like a loose wire would, more like when on generator power and it's slightly overtaxed.

[mechmike0034]

As resistance increases in any DC electrical circuit, available power decreases. The battery cables and the big lead that powers the underhood junction block (in or near the underhood fusebox or electrical center IIRC) are the only things I can think of that would be common to all these symptoms.

[Grimm]

mechmike gets it in one.

Thanks Mike, next time you're in San Diego look me up and I will buy you a couple beers. ;)

[mechmike0034]

mechmike gets it in one.

Thanks Mike, next time you're in San Diego look me up and I will buy you a couple beers. ;)

You know it! :woohoo: You, EsDee and I (and anyone else that wants to join in) will drain a few at some point whenever I get out there...

Haven't been to SD in years - last time I went, a buddy and I rented Harleys from Eagleriders. We rode out on a Sunday through Escondido to Julian and then out into the desert, coming back on the 8.

Julian was a cool little town - broke my heart to see what the wildfires did to it...

[zero2dash]

I hear it's smart to dump a can of Coke on battery cables/terminals 'cause the acid will clean all the gunk off them. :)

[Grimm]

I hear it's smart to dump a can of Coke on battery cables/terminals 'cause the acid will clean all the gunk off them. :)
Anyone who starts dumping a conductive liquid on live battery terminals is about to be in a very bad way.

[sizemic1]

Baking soda mixed with water works better..but it makes a mess.

[mechmike0034]

I hear it's smart to dump a can of Coke on battery cables/terminals 'cause the acid will clean all the gunk off them. :)

Wet them with plain water, then apply a little baking soda, scrub with an old toothbrush (being careful not to splatter as acid eats paint) and rinse.

On post-type batteries, disassemble the connections and use fine sandpaper to clean the posts and the insides of the clamps.

Coat the clean, assembled posts with anti-corrosion spray - cheap at any parts store.

Replace any battery that shows signs of external leakage.

If your posts corrode rapidly after cleaning, or if you have to continuously add water to the battery, have the voltage regulator checked. Too high a charging voltage can cause these symptoms.

See http://www.batteryfaq.org to learn more than you ever wanted to know about automotive and deep-cycle batteries.