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. ThanksAttention all members!
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Alternator dying???
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Chris from MI
- Senior Member
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 7:09 pm
- Location: Detroit, MI
Alternator dying???
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
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
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Justin from Detroit1
- Junior Member
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
- Location: Detroit
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Chris from MI
- Senior Member
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 7:09 pm
- Location: Detroit, MI
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Ryan from Ohio
- Posts: 13308
- Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2000 12:00 pm
- Contact:
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
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
-Ryan
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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.
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.