Dying alternator?
formzy
10-20-2005, 12:41 PM
My friend has a '93 Roadmaster with 44,000 miles and original alternator. During the evening (dark-lights on) hours I noticed his volt meter registering below 13 volts and a slight dimming of the dash lights. I had him to my house and we checked the output of the alternator with my digital volt meter. Without lights it would range between 12.9-13.3 volts. This to me is borderline and in my expereince we should be reading between 13.5-14.5 volts? Am I correct?
The next day he phoned me to say the gauge (which seems accurate) was reading over 13 close to 14 volts. I told him the lights are the biggest draw and I feel with low idle(foot on brake, trans in reverse/drive etc.) I don't think the alternator can handle the load. This seems to be borderline but I think is failing. Tomorrow I plan to remove the alt. and take for testing at my local Murray's auto parts store. Any ideas? Thanks.
The next day he phoned me to say the gauge (which seems accurate) was reading over 13 close to 14 volts. I told him the lights are the biggest draw and I feel with low idle(foot on brake, trans in reverse/drive etc.) I don't think the alternator can handle the load. This seems to be borderline but I think is failing. Tomorrow I plan to remove the alt. and take for testing at my local Murray's auto parts store. Any ideas? Thanks.
tomogchi
10-24-2005, 05:00 PM
Well, i have seen the problem intermittently appear, but mostly with only the lights on, radio on, heat, brake and the directional....
But normally in my 92, it averages between 13 1/2 - 14 in change.
It could be going bad, but i would honestly wait until the alternator dies to replace it (not that it will hurt anything), but it could do that for a month more, or upto maybe 1 year more..
Bill
But normally in my 92, it averages between 13 1/2 - 14 in change.
It could be going bad, but i would honestly wait until the alternator dies to replace it (not that it will hurt anything), but it could do that for a month more, or upto maybe 1 year more..
Bill
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