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Sometimes when the cars starts, the volts are low (about 10V) and stay that way for about 30 secs. If you operate the windsreen wipers they are slower than normal, which is not exactly surprising, and I think the air con fan blows a bit more weakly.
After the 30 secs have passed, then the volts come up the normal 13.5-14 on the gauge and the wipers operate at normal speed.
When it does kick in, sometimes there is some squeaking from the belt, especially if there is a lot of electrical load, like lights, seat heaters, air con blower, rear screen
heater, etc.
The squeaking does not last, so it's not that there is an issue with the belt.
I'm pretty sure I noticed it on the C4S I used to have as well.
It doesn't happen everytime though, and I am not sure what the trigger is.
I don't know how it can do it, unless the alternator has an electro-magnetic clutch like the air conditioning compressor, or is electrically isolated somehow.
After the 30 secs have passed, then the volts come up the normal 13.5-14 on the gauge and the wipers operate at normal speed.
When it does kick in, sometimes there is some squeaking from the belt, especially if there is a lot of electrical load, like lights, seat heaters, air con blower, rear screen
heater, etc.
The squeaking does not last, so it's not that there is an issue with the belt.
I'm pretty sure I noticed it on the C4S I used to have as well.
It doesn't happen everytime though, and I am not sure what the trigger is.
I don't know how it can do it, unless the alternator has an electro-magnetic clutch like the air conditioning compressor, or is electrically isolated somehow.
