Weird Idle issues

[The_Hawk]

I know that putting a load onto your car, like headlights or power windows cause the revs to drop as it sucks power, but in my case, when the light and the blinkers are on while sitting at the lights idleing the revs dip in time with the blinkers. Bumping the revs up a bit by using the accelerator and the car seems to be making enough power to run everything.

No issues with power otherwise, starts fine, seems to charge the battery and everything else fine. Is this just a case of too much load for the idle revs?
I'm running a Pioneer headunit, Pioneer 200W amp and thats about it, but still more than stock.

I also don't have the idle stabliser, although I have been told that they usually get pulled out when they break as they aren't 100% necessary.

So is this the tell tale signs of a alternator on it's way out, or just not enough power at idle?

[Pullstarter]

I'm by no means an expert but sounds like alternator or battery to me, had a similar thing happen in my Escort when the battery was dying. Can also be caused by bad earths to i think?

[cOS]

it's hard to say what is actually causing your problem. I have electrical problems in mine too, haven't had time to look into it.

it could just be your odometer playing out. does the engine sound different too?

is your radio on? if you turn the radio off, is it still the same?

I don't think current drawn by a light bulb can cause castastrophy.

[BlackVr6ix]

I think your problem is the same as mine. I have been told that my ECM/ECU relay is on the blink. I think its the 109 relay third from the left at the top.

I have a black relay and apparently the black ones are of poor quality.

I'm ordering a new one today so i'll see how i go.

[The_Hawk]

Let me know how you go with that relay. The car will be going in to have the aircon fixed up properly in the very near future so I plan on having the auto elec have a look at a few minor things while they are there.

I should probably start a new thread under "Recommended repairers and parts suppliers" or somthing to ask for recommendations, but I'll keep it in here for now:

Anyone know any repairers that deal with Air Conditioning and auto electrical things that specialise in Volkswagens? My local guy is good, but freely admits he doesn't know his way round my Golf that well. Having said that he did a bang up job last time round. On the upside, he's also up the road from Loons place, so when he's fixing the air con, any parts he might need are only down the road

I'm trying to avoid McGrath Volkswagen since I like my kidneys and all.

[BlackVr6ix]

my idle seems to be directly related to voltage drop. even when cruising at 100 if i press up on the two front windows when they are completely closed the car feels like it looses all power for a split second, it almost feels like its hitting the rev limiter.

it seems to also happen when i have music up a bit louder than normal.

[The_Hawk]

my idle seems to be directly related to voltage drop. even when cruising at 100 if i press up on the two front windows when they are completely closed the car feels like it looses all power for a split second, it almost feels like its hitting the rev limiter.

it seems to also happen when i have music up a bit louder than normal.

Power windows I can understand a little more since an electric motor can draw insane amounts of current. I wouldn't have though the stereo would have had the same issue, but then I have noticed the interior lights dim in time with the bass beat and I don't have anything approaching a high powered system. Basic Pioneer headunit, Pioneer 200W amp and a set of Sony 6x9's.
Would have though it would have been even less of a problem since the amp draws direct from the battery too.

[BlackVr6ix]

I think its probably got a lot to do with the poor earthing of the engine and chassis, poor supply to the main fuse box as well as the potential of my alternator being 205k km old!

once i have some time off work i will be investigating, however last time i had a clamp ammeter on my car it was producing ~40-50 amps at idle which is pretty high even for a 120amp alternator like on our cars.

[Jmac]

Earth cable to the gearbox goes green on them mate. Check for voltage drop at the earth cable between earth point and cable. any more than 0.5 volts then you have an issue. Drop testyour battery as well ( in lamens terms load up the battery and check the cells) Also test the alternator outut at the D+ wire which is the blue one. This will tell you if the reg is ok. But yeah Earths are crap on them after a few years. As i mentioned the cable goes green with corrosion thus lots of resistance.
Mate if you have VAG COM you can check the voltage at the ECU when its running, this will tell you that 109 or 30 is ok. When these start to go you have starting problems.