I bought a 98 monte carlo a month ago, I installed a subwoofer and amp and started noticing the lights dim alot while it plays. So i figured I would need a capacitor(which I thought was not nescessary for a single small 10" sub.) But then Other similar problems were apparent to me without the sub running. Whenever any electrical device comes on, the lights will dim(dash lights, dome light, headlights, defroster, changing gears out of park) for a second before brightening back up. And occasionally when I go to start the vehicle there will be a single click, then the car will go completely dead for 10-15 seconds, then I can start it back up.

The lights dim with the car on or off. I bought it to autozone and they said the alternator was bad because the voltage though it started at 14V dropped down to 10 and flucuated a bit.

Sicnce the alternator is an expensive part for me right now and because I had the light dimming issue with a charged battery and the car off, I want to make sure the alternator is the culprit before I drop 130 bucks on it.

Anyone have similar experience or advice regarding troubleshooting this issue?

 

...Welcome to our MCF Family...Sorry to read on your first post that you are having a problem with your Monte Carlo
Check back on your thread question to see what our Expert Tech Member's suggest or post about your problem.

Did you check your alternator belt to make sure that it is tight ? Also check for a loose wire causing the short. Check all grounds under the hood and make sure they all have a good contact. If your alternator tested bad...then it maybe going out or it's regulator is bad : ( Let us know your results & Good Luck..

 

Where should I start checking the wires from, There have been alot of other intermittent electrical failures, like the left rear turn signal light sometimes doesnt work, Some illumination lights on the passenger side of the climate control panel and the shifter illumination. Also the passenger window seems to short out when I press the up button on the power window on the passenger door, it then stops working for 10-15 seconds untill I can use it on the driver's side.

Could that be caused by a bad ground somewhere on the passenger side?

Theres alotta wires to go throguh I jest need to be pointed where to start looking. I need to buy another multimeter.

 

Check out the below links: I hope they assist you.
Troubleshoot Auto Electrical Problems

Diagnostic tips for solving automotive electrical problems. ... the battery should be disconnected to eliminate any risk of causing an accidental short. ... It is not something you will find in many original equipment wiring circuits, ...
www.aa1car.com/library/tselec.htm - Cached - Similar
Tech

First, lets make sure that you have a short! Electrical systems have a specific route for electricity ... Okay, you've confirmed you have a short, now how do you find it? ... Many tool vendors and auto parts stores sell short detectors. ...
www.inliners.org/tech/tech6.html - Cached - Similar