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  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Electrical Charging Issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter COramprat
  • Start date Start date Jul 14, 2013

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
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1,463
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Sea of Tranquility
Jul 14, 2013
#1
  • Jul 14, 2013
  • #1
I've had trouble in the past with alternators in my car. I replace the original (came with the car and had the Saleen pulley so I assume original) when I started having fuel pressure issues earlier this year. The second one crapped out when I got it back from the fuel pressure fix. Tested bad output.

This time the battery light would flash but then go off after the car warmed. I ran a datalog and it always charged around 13.5-13.7 volts no matter what the light was doing. After driving awhile the light would come back on and off but I didn't log it. It seemed to get a little better when I manipulate the alternator connector until today. The light wouldn't go off so I plugged in the tuner and watched the voltage. At speed it was anywhere between 11.3-11.7 volts. I got off the interstate to see if the connector may have worked lose and the voltage came back up to 13.5-13.7.

Once I got going the voltage would drop again and I noticed that anytime the RPM's were above 1700 the voltage would drop but running below 1700 or at idle the voltage would come back up to 13.7. Could that connector be the cause of the voltage drop? It's strange that it would immediately drop once I got above 1700 RPM's. Is it also a possibility that I need a stouter Alt since this car is built with a little more boogie in it? Anyone pushing more HP and needed a heavier alternator?
 

Mattstang04

15 Year Member
Sep 15, 2006
1,152
144
104
St. Louis, MO
Jul 15, 2013
#2
  • Jul 15, 2013
  • #2
I have not had issues with charging that could be related to high horsepower. It kinda sounds like the voltage regulator may be a bit over active, I think its internal on these newer alternators. Pop the alternator off and have a local auto parts store check it out. If you have a big stereo or something, I could see you getting a higher output alternator otherwise, I don't see a real need.
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Jul 15, 2013
#3
  • Jul 15, 2013
  • #3
That is what I kind of thought. But something is drawing power down and damned if I can't figure out what it is.
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Jul 18, 2013
#4
  • Jul 18, 2013
  • #4
Alternator tested bad output. So I'm on alt #3 since February.
 

bhuff30

Founding Member
Dec 11, 2001
6,037
35
129
Olathe KS
Jul 18, 2013
#5
  • Jul 18, 2013
  • #5
I would go through the alternator wiring and grounds to make sure everything is clean and secure. The alternator is internally regulated and there are only a couple wires going to it. Check the main alternator wire going to the battery, especially near the battery side, along with all connections and terminals. Clean up any corrosion you find and re-secure. Also, make sure the grounds going to the engine are good. Maybe one is coming loose, causing extra load on the alternator.

That is very unusual for a 3g alternator. The older 2g units were awful... I swear I was replacing them every 10k miles on my 88. The original 3G on my GT lasted 210k miles. Just replaced it last dec.
 

madspeed

Colonel Mustard
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
8,914
1,332
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a van down by the river
Jul 18, 2013
#6
  • Jul 18, 2013
  • #6
what car is this on?
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Jul 19, 2013
#7
  • Jul 19, 2013
  • #7
03 GT (Saleen). In my sig above.
 
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