lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

ylbill · Post by **ylbill** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 8:28 pm

Just want to confirm if this is a ground issue on my 82, or would it be something else. I had my lights on, and when I came to a stop light the turn signal got very slow while idling. When starting down the road again or just giving it some gas, the turn signal speed seemed fine. Thanks

JammerX19 · Post by **JammerX19** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:13 pm

ylbill wrote:Just want to confirm if this is a ground issue on my 82, or would it be something else. I had my lights on, and when I came to a stop light the turn signal got very slow while idling. When starting down the road again or just giving it some gas, the turn signal speed seemed fine. Thanks

Mine does this too. I'd imagine it is a pretty common occurrence with these cars.

spider82matt · Post by **spider82matt** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:16 pm

Could be ground issue but I suspect either voltage regulator or alternator insufficient. Have you recently added any new electronics? Also could be a loose belt.. hope this helps.

ylbill · Post by **ylbill** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:21 pm

spider82matt wrote:Could be ground issue but I suspect either voltage regulator or alternator insufficient. Have you recently added any new electronics? Also could be a loose belt.. hope this helps.

Nothing new added. That makes sense. I'll check the belt and go from there. Thanks

JammerX19 · Post by **JammerX19** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:21 pm

spider82matt wrote:Could be ground issue but I suspect either voltage regulator or alternator insufficient. Have you recently added any new electronics? Also could be a loose belt.. hope this helps.

In my case, I can rule out the belt...it's new and checked. Did add a new radio but I have this problem even when the radio is off.

ylbill · Post by **ylbill** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:45 pm

JammerX19 wrote:
spider82matt wrote:Could be ground issue but I suspect either voltage regulator or alternator insufficient. Have you recently added any new electronics? Also could be a loose belt.. hope this helps.
In my case, I can rule out the belt...it's new and checked. Did add a new radio but I have this problem even when the radio is off.

Now that you mention the radio, I have added a new one myself. I'll check the belt, radio on and off and go from there. Noticed the alternators are pricey. Will probably do the regulator if its not a loose belt.

majicwrench · Post by **majicwrench** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:20 pm

Regulator is not going to fix that. In theory, belt could be loose, but that aint causin it either, it would slip even worse when driving. For the most part, that is normal operation, just voltage dropping as RPM goes down. Alt has to spin fast to produce amperage. Got factory headlites?? Is your idle at specs??
Keith

ylbill · Post by **ylbill** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:36 am

majicwrench wrote:Regulator is not going to fix that. In theory, belt could be loose, but that aint causin it either, it would slip even worse when driving. For the most part, that is normal operation, just voltage dropping as RPM goes down. Alt has to spin fast to produce amperage. Got factory headlites?? Is your idle at specs??
Keith

Thanks Keith, PO upgraded the headlights to halogen, rpm's around 900 at idle.

baltobernie · Post by **baltobernie** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 10:58 am

The 1982 model has the 55 or 65A alternator, and should be capable of running all of your lights and signals at 900 RPMs. Find somebody who knows how to test your electrical system in the car. You can DIY with a cheap voltmeter and an Internet search.

majicwrench · Post by **majicwrench** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:40 am

Halo headlights take more amperage that stock lights, and thus are sucking up what little amps alt can produce at an idle. Are you worried bout it?? Turn signal so slow they are inop?? Methinks this is the way it works.....a simple voltemter would be easy to check some things.
Keith

ylbill · Post by **ylbill** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 3:18 pm

majicwrench wrote:Halo headlights take more amperage that stock lights, and thus are sucking up what little amps alt can produce at an idle. Are you worried bout it?? Turn signal so slow they are inop?? Methinks this is the way it works.....a simple voltemter would be easy to check some things.
Keith

Yeah, not too worried about it. Don't do much night driving anyway, just like to tinker and tweak things if there easy fixes. Thanks

baltobernie · Post by **baltobernie** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:36 pm

Standard sealed-beam halogen lamps draw the same amount of current as sealed-beam tungsten lamps. Both have identical draw to standard bulb-and-reflector H-4 headlamps, about 50 watts on low beam and 60 watts on hi.

Fiatracertracer · Post by **Fiatracertracer** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 11:10 am

Was this issue ever resolved?

I am having the same problem with my 1982 fiat.

Turn signals are slow, drivers side more so than the passengers side.

The seat belt light flashes when the turn signal is activated.... slowly flashes in conjunction with the signal lights.

Any body

spider2081 · Post by **spider2081** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 11:58 am

I believe the turn signal indicator and the seat belt warning indicator share ground pod G3 located under the dash above your right knee.
A poor ground common to both lamps could be why the seat belt lamp flashes.

A battery that is not fully charged will cause the headlights to dim at idle RPM. The alternator begins to work somewhere over 1200 RPM. The charging system should produce a regulated voltage between 13.75 and 14.5 volts. This charges the battery to a full charge of 12.6 volts. At idle it is normal for most alternators to drop off line and the car is operating on the battery. So the head lights and signal lights are now operating on 12.6 volts instead of approx 14 volts. This can make a noticeable change in their operation. If the battery is old or if the charging system is marginal the battery does not get to it's full potential 12.6 volts. This makes the idle operation of lights even more noticeable.

Fiatracertracer · Post by **Fiatracertracer** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 10:53 pm

Thank you Spider 2081.... I will check that ground.

New red top battery in the trunk with 900 CCA.

Also, besides the weak turn signals, the brake lights do not come on when the brake pedal is depressed.

lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow

Re: lights on, at idle, turn signals very slow