5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang Technical discussions on 5.0 Liter Mustangs within. This does not include the 5.0 from the 2011 Mustang GT. That information is in the 2005-1011 section.

headlight and alternator ????

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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 08:59 AM
  #1  
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Default headlight and alternator ????

ok i have a 86 gt 5.0L. At night time when i have my lights on, my heat, and my sound system, my headlights are dim and my turn signals are slow. I have a Sony explode 600W amp with a kicker comp sub. I have a 75 amp alternator on it and i was wondering if i upgrade to the 100 amp will it fix it? can my wiring handle this much? now i have underdrive pulleys and i know people say they are bad for charging problems but im keeping them on. if it is just cause of the smaller pulley on the alternator then ill just put the stock on. Thank you
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 09:18 AM
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I just bought the powermaster 140 amp alternator since my car had the same problem. My headlights actually started blinking. Ive got 1000 watt amp with my sound system. I havent installed the alt yet, but it comes with a new charge lead that is a heavier duty wire than stock. I would definitely change the alternaor. Ive even tried a capacitor and that didnt help in the least.
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 10:11 AM
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I vote 3g conversion.
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 10:50 AM
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I vote doing the audio system correctly and putting a capacitor in there.
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 01:01 PM
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Some people say capacitors don't really do much, and they still need charged, they just help maintain heavy loads. If you get a "blinking" of the headlights, your alternator may have a dead spot. Alts produce 3 AC currents then use diodes to "modify" it to DC, so if one is dead your headlights will have a consistant flashing.

If your lights cut out entirely, however, I have read its a fault of the headlights and putting in a relay system will cure it.
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 01:01 PM
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i forgot about the 3g conversion and im not gunna put a damn compactor when i only have a 600 amp
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 01:08 PM
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I said that wrong, I meant headlight circuitry. And a 600 amp is more than you realize
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 01:49 PM
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ok thats good to know about the alternator, my headlights dont do that though. all my lights are dim when i have everything running. i guess my question is, is if i get the 100 amp alternator can my wires handle it?
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 02:16 PM
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Ahh I missed the dim part and saw where you said they were flashing. I probably wouldn't risk pumping 100 amps through the stock set up, 3g's are 120 amps and you need to install a 4 gauge to handle that, which would be 45 more amps than yours currently, going to 100 is 25 more. You would find out fairly quickly if it'd handle it or not
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 02:24 PM
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bigger alt and trash the damn underdrive pullies, they cause more probs than they solve, I don't run them period, build a motor with enough power and you won't need such "make me feel better like I added some power mods"



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