Possible alternator issue?

[rivet0r]

I noticed my car would sometimes act funny, as in the stock tape deck would reset (turn off and quickly back on), and lights would dim a bit, etc etc. After I got my turbo timer which also shows battery voltage, I noticed my voltage went up and down a lot. Also, I don't know what would cause this, but this typically happens more at night, and my voltage seems to be lower at night than it is during the day. I am not sure what the problem could be, considering temperature seems to be effecting it even more so, but any help would be wonderful.

Thanks,
rivet0r

 

[rivet0r]

I also forget to mention that when the stereo resets, I hear clicking.

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by rivet0r
I
...
as in the stock tape deck would reset (turn off and quickly back on), and lights would dim a bit, etc etc. After I got my turbo timer which also shows battery voltage, I noticed my voltage went up and down a lot. Also, I don't know what would cause this, but this typically happens more at night, and my voltage seems to be lower at night than it is during the day. I am not sure what the problem could be, considering temperature seems to be effecting it even more so, but any help would be wonderful.
Thanks,
rivet0r

Howdy,

I'd check all the battery connections. Dirty posts and terminals will sometimes behave crazy like this and yet crank when the big load is applied.

Check B+ terminal on Alt, check harness plug for field connections also.

Check battery water level (15,000 mile interval), specific gravity check, check battery charging voltage with no load and then with everything you can possibly turn on. (A/C on, heater fan high, headlights on high, fog lights etc.)

A intermittant shorting diode in the Alt. will give similar results, you may hear a humming like some Alternating Current appliances except faster / higher frequency than 60 cycles.

If all if that is good on occasion the key switch will become worn and make poor contact when in the run position. Usually when this starts to happen the steering lock will get warm to the touch because of the resistence in the switch. Some of these are servicable by bending tabs at the back of the switch but care must be observed exactly how the contacts are made or you will have an hour putting it back together as you try all the combinations. Poor connections at harness junction blocks and fusable links. Check the body ground straps to the engine, (one on fitewall and another on shock tower??).

Worn slip ring brushes inside the Alt., regulator on it's last leg.

Might have missed something in all of that.

With an inductive ammeter which you just hold over the B+ Alt. lead and a fully charged battery, pull the headlights on and turn the key on for 1 minute. Turn everything off, start the car and then using the inductive ammeter you should see 30-35 amps charging rate that then tapers off over a few minutes.

Let me know what you find.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by rivet0r
I also forget to mention that when the stereo resets, I hear clicking.

It may be something as simple as an after-market inline fuse if someone has done any radio work or added an amplifier. The clicking is usually associated with tape heads and capstan wheels going through their cycles. Can be heard on VCRs as well, this is normal when first truned on but not after that. Again, a power loss, open circuit either on the + or - side will have the same effect. However, the fact your gauges are also indicating something is wrong I tend to believe it's going to be a ground problem from one of those straps or at the battery.

Chasing noseeums magic electrons can be lots of fun... not!!

Cheers,
GTM

 

[rivet0r]

Well I found out that my alternator is only putting out .4 amps PEAK. It should be putting out what, 50 amps at least? Anyways, I found my problem. I have another question, I have idle surge, and I was wondering if it was possible that with the low amps my alt is putting out, would that effect the ISC motor, and in return causes my surging idle?

-rivet0r

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by rivet0r
Well I found out that my alternator is only putting out .4 amps PEAK. It should be putting out what, 50 amps at least? Anyways, I found my problem. I have another question, I have idle surge, and I was wondering if it was possible that with the low amps my alt is putting out, would that effect the ISC motor, and in return causes my surging idle?
-rivet0r

Oh horse puckey, that will certainly cause a lot of problems. It sounds like the tape was dropping out when the available voltage wasn't enough yet the car would still run. I don't know how you were getting by with so little output. Yes, the Alt. is rated at 70 or 80 amps which should allow everything that was stock on the car to run plus charge the battery at 10-30 amps.

The surge was probably caused by electronic equipment hunting to keep a constant voltage stabalized to keep the engine running. You are now faced with either fixing the Alt. or replacing. You have a couple good Pick Ur Parts west of you off route 60, my map program died so can only remember that one is on Millikan in between the 60 and I-10, the other is about 4-6 miles east of that up in some canyon.

Good luck.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[rivet0r]

Alright, it turned out the .4 amps was a crap diagnosis from people over at Autozone.. I had a buddy of mine that works at an electrical shop check it out, and he said it is in fact putting out 60 amps. Now I'm stumped again, and most of what you said, GMT, I don't quite understand. I have cleaned the terminals and posts several times, doesn't seem to have any effect on it. Another thing is, the stock deck isn't properly mounted, which may cause it to not be grounded properly, but would this effect everything else, or just the deck itself?

I'm not sure how to go about finding and locating the problem, and any help would be great. I thank you GMT for the help, but if you could put it in easier terms, seeing as how I am new to the electrical part of cars, that would be even better.

Thanks,
rivet0r

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by rivet0r
Alright, it turned out the .4 amps was a crap diagnosis from people over at Autozone.. I had a buddy of mine that works at an electrical shop check it out, and he said it is in fact putting out 60 amps. Now I'm stumped again, and most of what you said, GMT, I don't quite understand. I have cleaned the terminals and posts several times, doesn't seem to have any effect on it. Another thing is, the stock deck isn't properly mounted, which may cause it to not be grounded properly, but would this effect everything else, or just the deck itself?

I'm not sure how to go about finding and locating the problem, and any help would be great. I thank you GMT for the help, but if you could put it in easier terms, seeing as how I am new to the electrical part of cars, that would be even better.

Thanks,
rivet0r

Oh fooey, they have an early start on Halloween so everything is slow.

First if this gets through PM or email me... not a problem.

Yup, wasn't going to tell you the .4 was bogus but someone else here wants my nuts. Thus I cannot give any advice until this arse is gone.

I've no ax to grind, nothing to prove save that expressed in past posts. I'll be glad to help if I can.

Cheers,
GTM