odd alternator behaviour
Discussion
Anyone have any words of wisdom?
My alternator on my v8 wedge seems to be doing something very strange.
When the I start the engine the alt doesn't seem to be doing anything as the voltmeter shows between 11 and 12 volts. If I drive like this it quickly drops to 11v. However, if I rev the car over about 4,500 the volmeter springs into life and indicates around 14v. Even if I let the car drop down to idle, it stays at 14v for a while. Eventually, it seems as if the alt gives up and drops back to 11 again.
Not a problem, I hear you say. Just drive everywhere over 4k rpm. :-)
Fine but at some point it will probably stop the car. Anyone seen anything like this before?
Another clue, the battery warning light doesn't come on when I turn the key but hasn't blown because it ocassionally comes up when driving. (Fan belt tension and condition seems fine.)
Very confused! Ideas greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Nadeem
My alternator on my v8 wedge seems to be doing something very strange.
When the I start the engine the alt doesn't seem to be doing anything as the voltmeter shows between 11 and 12 volts. If I drive like this it quickly drops to 11v. However, if I rev the car over about 4,500 the volmeter springs into life and indicates around 14v. Even if I let the car drop down to idle, it stays at 14v for a while. Eventually, it seems as if the alt gives up and drops back to 11 again.
Not a problem, I hear you say. Just drive everywhere over 4k rpm. :-)
Fine but at some point it will probably stop the car. Anyone seen anything like this before?
Another clue, the battery warning light doesn't come on when I turn the key but hasn't blown because it ocassionally comes up when driving. (Fan belt tension and condition seems fine.)
Very confused! Ideas greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Nadeem
Clean make sure the sense connection on the back of the alternator is nice and clean (the smaller spade connector). It may just be that the field windings are shot. After a while the varnish disintegrates and the windings start shorting out on each other.
It sounds like its not exciting until 4+K RPM.
Unless its a s
tty connection, get another one. Not worth running out of electricity on a dark night in the middle of nowhere and getting rodgered by the inbred locals...
If youre any where near Reading, Burghfield alternator and starter motor centre are the boys.
It sounds like its not exciting until 4+K RPM.
Unless its a s
tty connection, get another one. Not worth running out of electricity on a dark night in the middle of nowhere and getting rodgered by the inbred locals... If youre any where near Reading, Burghfield alternator and starter motor centre are the boys.
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