alternator problem update, wtf's going on?!?!

[cutlassguy]

i just checked it out and the light works 100%. even triied a third battery and the same things happening. the only thing i never did was take off the groung wire from the battery at the engine and clean that...ive never had to do that once tho on any vehicles ive ever owned, and by looking at it, its pretty clean. everything works fine, bright lights an all, even seems like my windows are a little faster...the only thing is the gauge says 13 and when im stopped dips down to 12 or a lil lower. i can almost control it by turning stuff on or off. is there a chance the new alternator has a new but weak regualtor or some other part in it? or do they either work or dont kinda thing.

 

[bill]

my advice, take the car to AZ or Advance and have them check it out on the car. Make sure they rev the engine to 1500-2000 rpms for 10-15 secs to check the max voltage output vs idle. If the voltage rises and drops with rpms, Id suspect the regulator/diodes/stator are bad. check the belts...replace if they look glossy or cracked.

 

[cutlassguy]

sounds like good advice but im just going to take back this alternator and get them to replace it with another one. everything worked hunky dorey until the alternator went so its got to be i just got a sh*t one from bosch...ill post asap

 

[pontiacgp]

just because your alternator light is working does not mean the alternator is getting excited. Have you checked the 2 wire connector at the alternator to see if there is proper current?

 

[cutlassguy]

i checked it with a test light and there was lots of power.

 

[bill]

i checked it with a test light and there was lots of power.

test light only shows voltage....doesnt tell you the amount of voltage. You need a multimeter to get an accurate reading.

 

[pontiacgp]

and a multimeter will tell you if your gauge is accurate

 

[cutlassguy]

i plan on picking one up soon but in the meantime i read that i could put a jumper wire from the power wire to the field terminal and that would fully excite it, which i did and still no difference. i would be fine if i didnt ever turn anything on but none the less i still want it working properly. id almost think its the battery not able to handle any kind of load on it but ive switched it out with 2 other ones that were load tested and in good condition so im a lil stumped...

 

[cutlassguy]

i ended up taking that bosch alt. back and getting a different one (Dixie) i think, same thing kept happening for about 1 week and then all of a sudden now its sitting a little better than 14...i have no idea why, but it seems to be OK again

 

[gbondo57]

Just freshened up my sons 305 in his 87 elco. A few days later, IT STOPPED CHARGING. Gave it some thought. It had to be something I did. When I get bitchy, I get lazy. Izaoldguy. The starter wire on the inboard side of the solenoid was twisted tight, touching the block. The 'insulator' was touching the block. Corrected the connection, (loose first nut) problem solved. It took a couple days to ground out. Had ALL the not charging symptoms before that. 8)