headlights/wipers

[amantedifiat]

Hello everyone!
I have a strange electrical problem. When the car is running and I put on the headlights
the battery light comes on and the lights go out. No problem with the parking lights. Problem
is intermittent as well.
Same issue happens with the wipers. I assume the load of the headlights or wipers are causing something
to happen. Checked the usual suspects to no avail.
Any help would be appreciated. Love these Fiat mysteries!!!

[spider2081]

What year is your car. Does it have an alternator?
There are a lot of things that can cause this issue.
How old is the battery? It sounds like it is not being fully charged
The general maintenance ones are

Does the battery have sufficient fluid
are the battery terminals clean and tight.
Is the top of the battery clean
is the generator/alternator belt tight
Is the car idling at the correct RPM

You may have checked all these.

Have you measured the voltage at the battery when the car is idling

[amantedifiat]

Hello,
Thanks for the reply. It's a 1980 with an alternator. I'll double check all the items you listed and will let you know how I make
out.
Mark

[Button]

Any luck chasing down the cause of your issue? I fear my spider presented the exact same symptoms on Tuesday...

[baltobernie]

You must only read the forum at night, while your car is asleep. Otherwise, this happens.

[Zaffer]

I have been having this issue as well, but the blower is also causing the issue.

With my car, I checked the alternator output at the battery, and while lower than normal, still charging. My issue has been intermittent and I am having a time locating the issue.

This is my post thus far on the issue: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30868

I realize I should have put the issue here now, but I'm still learning the site.

Have you resolved the issue or made any progress?