Dead Alternator??

[88GThatchback]

I put on a new 150A 3G alternator about a week ago. I got it from Alterstart on ebay. Today my battery gauge was lower than normal so I checked the voltage while running and got ~12.5. I took it to Kragen Auto and they could not get it to test. Kept saying test unsucessful. Is there anyway I can test this myself? I really don't want to send it back to the guy and have it be fine.

Thanks,
Clay

 

[HISSIN50]

you could take it out and have it bench tested. i am not familiar with a system 'not testing' so i dont know if they could.

but if it is wired correctly, it should be ok. double check your connections. you can do a drop test on the alternator wire, for fun. measure the volts at the alternator. then measure at the solenoid. should be within .5 volts, if you did the rewire. if you did not, that could be your problem.

good luck.

 

[Ackbar00]

You ran a bigger power feed to the Starter Silanoid (Cant Spell ) right?

 

[lxsteed]

I'd take it off and have it bench tested at an auto parts store. It won't take but 5 min to get it off. Then go from there.

 

[mustangsquared]

I always get 12.5 at the battery...I ran my big power wire from the alt to the battery. Should I have wired it differently? I get a low charge at night or when the fan is on.
I have been thinking my 3G was going bad but it appears 88GThatch is having the same problem.

thanks.

 

[88GThatchback]

Yes I did run a 4 gauge powerwire. I took it to Kregan to have it tested. Lastnight i drove around and all of a sudden the gauge shot up to normal. Tested it and got 14.5v. Dunno whats wrong. Maybe my fan is drawing it down when i turn the car off. Im going to wire the fan to the ignition today.

 

[r6bullet]

You should always have somewhere between 13-15 volts while running, you don't want any more or less. If you are getting a lower reading then you have to figure out why. It could just be your regulator that is having problems