keep blowing lowbeam bulbs

[boosted daily]

For some reason (yesterday and again today) I have burned out both my low beam bulbs and one high beam. I'm beginning to suspect my alternator is on its way out, so is it possible I'm getting voltage spikes, causing my bulbs to burn out? Bad voltage regulator? If so, does this mean a new alternator or repair?

 

[luv2rallye]

Yes, yes, and yes. Check the voltage at the battery while reving the engine - should never be above 15vdc, also measure the ac voltage there. Spikes aren't going to be detectable without an oscilloscope but at least measure the engine running voltage. I'd bring the alt to an alt-starter repair shop to be properly tested when mentioning your bulb problem - don't go to an auto store, they have worthless testers.

 

[DSM1G90]

Does the battery looks like it's swelling some?

If so, your ALT is overcharging the battery. Put the VOM leads across the battery with motor idling and see what your ALT's output is...which should be between 13.8 and 14.5VDC.

Anything higher meaning the regulator in the ALT is gone and cooking up the battery...

 

[boosted daily]

Tried to check voltage, but my shitty multi meter isn't accurate at all for 12v. However, today I started it to let it warm up this morning and by the time I went to go, my battery was flat dead and it was half running like shit and died backing out of the driveway. Wouldn't start...
I've tracked down a rebuilt alt (the big stock one) for $100, so I'm probably just gonna grab that one and call it good

 

[dsmspick]

Voltage regulator went out. Same thing happened to me but I was driving down the highway when my lights went out.

 

[boosted daily]

Affirmative. Regulator is toast. Charged the battery today, sitting at 13.2v, started the car, jumps to 15ish. Blipping the throttle (maybe 2200rpm) resulted in 18-19volts... no wonder I'm popping bulbs.
I've found a guy with a rebuilt 'bigger of the stock ones' alternator for a reasonable price. I'm guessing this would be from am auto from Canada? I've read they're the 'biggest' at 95amp? I'll need the capacity since I'm wanting to add more lights soon

 

[koryto2012]

Its most likely in your wiring. Measure voltage going from battery to starter. If theres any kind of volt drops pin it down and fix it. If wires are fine, see how many volts the starter is using. Then keep going to the alternator. If you know how to use a multimeter, it will speed things up a lot.

 

[May1989TalonTSiAWDst]

Bigger alt, bigger wire. If you go with LED lights it's barely any draw, expensive but nice.

 

[luv2rallye]

I've found a guy with a rebuilt 'bigger of the stock ones' alternator for a reasonable price. I'm guessing this would be from am auto from Canada? I've read they're the 'biggest' at 95amp? I'll need the capacity since I'm wanting to add more lights soon

Both Canadian DSM and Galant VR4 have bolt on stock 90A alts. You can get bigger from other makes but most won't fit properly or they don't have the internal regulator (example 2g NT uses the regulator in the PCM ).

 

[boosted daily]

I'm thinking for lights I'll probably go HID for lows and replace the shitty fogs with some HID projectors I have sitting around. Then I'll go night rally style and have four (?) 4" hid fogs somewhere in front, two spot and two flood. I'm thinking that'll look pretty bad ass once I make a skid plate, etc. I'll have a little draw maybe haha

 

[luv2rallye]

Then I'll go night rally style and have four (?) 4" hid fogs somewhere in front, two spot and two flood.

I made a cool performance rally light bar (see my car photos to see it) that I can send you the plans for.

 

[boosted daily]

Sure, I'll take a look at you light bar, it looks like what I was thinking of. Shouldn't be all that difficult to adapt to a 1g. I'll PM you