Power drain!!

[Lee Watson]

Hi

Well I’ve finally sort out all my idling problems  when along comes winter. 

I have notice that since I has got darker the idling has not been so good it works out that when I turn my lights on the revÂ’s drop by about 150-200Rpm & sometimes stalls at junctions.

Has anyone had the same problem? Or any ideas where I should start looking?

Cheers

Lee

P.S I have a MK2 golf GTI 16v 1990

[Uruk Hai]

Get your alternator checked and for the stalling check the vacuum pipes for splits also you could check and clean the idle stabilization valve.

[Jonp]

Hi Buddy,

The first thing i'd check would be the state of your fan belt (i'm not sure if you have a serpentine belt or a fan belt as found on 8v's):
Tighness etc.
The second would be the voltage that the alternator is putting out... at a guess around 14 volts.

best of luck!

[Lee Watson]

Thanks guy's I will have a look at it over the weekend.

Cheers

Lee

[NewStu]

The alternator is no doubt the source of the problem so get it checked out to make sure it is putting out enough power. A work around however may be to get an uprated headlight loom which takes its power direct from the battery and will stop stealing it from the engine. This wont be a propper fix as the battery will no doubt start to fail after this.

[Bluefox]

I'd get the battery checked as well - it is probably the altanator as discussed, but sometimes a knackered battery can make strange things happen.