Surging voltage issues from altenator

[GSntncT]

Okay, well this problem has been going on for a while now. I'll get in to start my car, and it takes a while for my alt to "warm up" to 13.9 v. Whenever I come to a stop, it'll drop to 11.8. I rev to 1.5, after a while it goes back up to 13.9. This happens all the time, especially at night when I have my lights on. I've changed my belt, the pulley, and the altenator, and this still happens. I looked all around as good as I could, and I can't find any weak lines. Does anyone have any clue as to where I can look next? If this helps I have a red-top optima battery as well. If you need more info to try to help me out, let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[poppyseed]

What RPM are you at when it is at 11.9V. Its prett normal for these cars headlights to dim a bit at stops and red lights, i have seen it happen on a lot of them, and i mean a lot, seems to be more common on 1g's. Other than that bring the alternator some where for a full field test, and regulator test, to help isolate the problem

 

[GSntncT]

roughly around 1k. I would deal if the headlights dimmed a little, that's normal. But the constant up and down voltage, my alt/belt screaming until it hits 13.4 v is the part that's killing me right now. since I've put the new alt. on, I've not gotten the alt, or regulator tested. I will try that ASAP. thanks.

 

[DevilSperm]

, my alt/belt screaming until it hits 13.4 v is the part that's killing me right now.

uh, the belt is tight right?

 

[poppyseed]

I would try to change it for the heck of it to, because if it is only doing this when it is hot a bench test may not catch this. plus if the one you get from a parts store does the same thing then you can just return it and say you didn't need it because you were unsure if you needed to replace the alternator or the battery, but the battery did it and you bought both knowing you would only need one. you only need that story if they really hassle you about returning the alternator which you didn't intend to buy for testing riiiiight

 

[GSntncT]

the belt is very tight. I check it twice a day. not to mention, this was happening while it was still cold out. I have been driving my brother's other car until I can get this fixed....but at this point, I'll try anything.

 

[DevilSperm]

the belt is very tight. I check it twice a day. not to mention, this was happening while it was still cold out. I have been driving my brother's other car until I can get this fixed....but at this point, I'll try anything.

hehe, i had to ask man, sometime those little things get over looked

 

[GSntncT]

heh, I understand.

Well, yesterday I got off of work early.....so I resumed my search. I took a look at the fuse box, and followed the lines stemming back from the alt. fuse. I found one of the wires appear to be melted a bit. I spliced in a new wire, and lo and behold......alls good with the car again.

Thanks for the help guys.