odd problem, alternator suspected...

[sibble]

Bought my car brand new in 1999, in 2000 I had to replace the alternator so I bought a pepboy's rebuilt one.

K the gauge (volts? amps?) for the battery charge is almost always above the middle. Actually, it's 3/4ths of the way up there most of the time.

Recently, I noticed all the lights in my car are pulsing. Another problem I've ALWAYS had is blowing front turnsignals and foglamps.

Could it be that the voltage regulator in the alternator is charging too high? Causeing my lights to pulse brighter, and possibly blowing out my turn signals?

[96firebird311]

Re: odd problem, alternator suspected...

This may not be an exact answer to your problem...but I just ran my car for almost 5 minutes with no/screwy voltage regulator. Voltage needle was pegged to the right. No damage done. (Long story :D)

[bradmb]

Re: odd problem, alternator suspected...

well, i would buy a volt meter and measure the voltage coming out of the alternator. some auto parts store may let you borrow one, i know they do down here in FL. then compare it to the one on the dash. the one on the dash should be about 2 volts less than the alternator. also, i have a 750 cold cranking amp battery that stays at about 14 volts and a 200 amp alternator and a batcap 300. i dont have any issues with blowing fuses or lights.

[slow6]

Re: odd problem, alternator suspected...

i took my alt in to get tested at autozone and it was fine.
I found out a wire on my PCM was broke, so that was the problem (i hope)

[sibble]

Re: odd problem, alternator suspected...

also, i have a 750 cold cranking amp battery that stays at about 14 volts and a 200 amp alternator and a batcap 300. i dont have any issues with blowing fuses or lights.

I double checked to get an exact number. It looks like mine stays at about 15-15.5 almost all the time.

This drops only when I tap the gas a little, and when the engine starts reving down, the volts drop a little to 13 (dead center). After the engine starts to idle again, it slowly creeps back up to 15.

I'm going to check it with a volt meter.