Attention all members!
Have a cool ride? Then show it off on our website! All vehicles welcome!

Alternator dying???

Post a reply

Confirmation code
Enter the code exactly as it appears. All letters are case insensitive.
Smilies
:awesome: :argh :ditto :inout :words :bow :cheers: :bigwink: :fing02: :sad017: :scorp: :o :D ;) :p :unwell028 :tongue017 :thumbsup :surprised :sm29: :angry011: :angry015: :angry012: :nono: :angry010: :nono :banghead :mad: :dif :angry :CRZ_13: :eek: :confused: :confused0 :confused :( :sad: :cool: :dance :mecry: :jesterlol :embarrass :flame: :doh :evil019: :evil001: :rolleyes: :sub:
View more smilies
BBCode is ON
[img] is ON
[url] is ON
Smilies are ON
Topic review
   

Expand view Topic review: Alternator dying???

by JeremyC » Sat May 27, 2006 8:42 am

Dang Ryan GM doesn't like you. All of mine have read in the 14 volt range.

13 isn't to bad. Now if it starts dropping into the 12 volt area your getting pretty low. Thats when I would start worring.

Try turning your stereo off, and turn the AC and lights on. That will give you a constant draw that will be easer to refrence.

by Ryan from Ohio » Sat May 27, 2006 5:08 am

14.3 is a fairly high charge voltage. Most GM cars charge around 13.8 or so...

Anything above 12 volts is good. Your batteries voltage is about 12.5 volts...

I wouldnt worry about it unless the voltage drops below 12.5

Also you are probably talking about idle, where the alt isnt putting out 200 amps. Probably like 90 available @ idle. Im not sure what amps you have but the strain of the Amperage draw and the fact your at idle could be the reason for the slight voltage rail sag.

You know you have a problem when you start sagging into the 11 volt range ;)

by Chris from MI » Fri May 26, 2006 7:35 pm

Yeah my bad, the volt gauge in my car and then the digital voltage read out on my distro block.

by Justin from Detroit1 » Fri May 26, 2006 7:31 pm

Call them and see if they can fix it before you buy a new one. Could be an easy fix

by Bwcad1 » Fri May 26, 2006 7:29 pm

do you mean the voltage meter?

Alternator dying???

by Chris from MI » Fri May 26, 2006 7:18 pm

Ok, I currently have a 200a HO alt and it has been working well. As of late I have noticed that my amp gauge has been acting kinda funny. It seems that with almost any strain on the system the gauge drops. Today I turned off my system and all my other electrical components and checked the read out on my Distro Block. It was reading 14.3. Then I turn my system on about half volume or so and everytime the bass hits it drops to like 13.0 to 13.5 depending on how hard the bass is hitting. This is leading me to believe that my alt is probably on its way out. :( I am thinking that maybe one or two of the diodes in the alt may have taken shit so it can't hold a charge at high current draws. Just want to see if you guys can think of anything else I need to check before I dish out more cash for a new HO alt. Thanks

Top