Before I get ripped off...

[8mycsh]

I noticed to day that my alt gauge was bouncing a little. I also have a aftermarket gauge set up to monitor the amount of juice left in my battery. And it seems a little lower then usual. I turned off my stereo and everything else that may drain the battery and it was still low.

I have a feeling that my alt is going. Is there any checks I can do to see if it is my battery or alt. I phoned today about an alt and they told me 500 CND?
That seems a little steep to me. For direct factory replacement. Whats your thoughts.

 

[wytstang]

Buy a volt meter and check your voltage. At idle it should read at least 12.2 or around there but not less than 12 volts. While giving it gas it should read at least 14.2 or around there but nothing less than 14 volts.

 

[mo_dingo]

The alternator puts out 14.4V, no matter what the speed of the alternator. The only changes you should see is current.

Sounds like any one of 3 problems.

1. Your alternator is bad. Go to autozone and get a new one. $114.99 with 1 yr warranty. $159.99 w/ lifetime warranty

2. Your battery cannot hold a charge, or is having problems holding a charge.

3. Your voltage regulator is bad. It controls the current to the battery & the car.

4. Your gauges are bad. Likely? No. Possible, yes!

So you basically need to test all 4. Go down to Autozone and get your battery & alternator tested. They will tell you if they are bad or not.

If not, then look to your voltage regulator. I don't know if you can have it tested by autozone. But I know you can test it yourself. Read the Haynes/Chilton manual for test procedures.

If they are good, then your gauge is bad, or the wiring to the gauge.
Scott

 

[cmozez]

The alt will not put out 14v at any speed. It does not jump up to that until about 900rpm. He may have UD pullies .

 

[wytstang]

The alternator puts out 14.4V, no matter what the speed of the alternator. The only changes you should see is current.

No the alt does not always give out 14 volts. It increades as the engine is put under a load because on board elctronics start to ask for more juice.

 

[HISSIN50]

for the money that replacements cost, i might check out Pa-Performance, Allerstart, etc. reportedly nice units.

as said, a bad cell in the battery can cause what seems like a lack of charging. also check the alternator to battery (or whatever you guys have - foxes go alt to solenoid) cable - if the cable has degraded, you can have problems (check the voltage at the alt vs at the other end to determine voltage drop).

good luck.

 

[Silentst2000]

I was under the impression that the alt always puts out the same voltage but the amps increase or decrease on a given RPM?

 

[wytstang]

I was under the impression that the alt always puts out the same voltage but the amps increase or decrease on a given RPM?

I think your right I think I have it back wards .

 

[8mycsh]

Thanks for all your help. I am heading to the garage to get it tested today.