Hey, My alternator is not putting out the required voltage.
My lights are little dim, door locks dont work very good when vehicle is not running, windows slow, etc.
I took to battery place because the battery and alternator are both about a year old. They did alternator check - about 12.4 volts. battery eye was milky white....the battery guy figured it was alternator before he even checked. The damn thing (alternator) is about a month over warranty. If I would have had it checked when I first noticed, I would have gotten warranty.

Is the alternator screwed or is there something I can do to try to revive it?

Brad

Hey, My alternator is not putting out the required voltage.
My lights are little dim, door locks dont work very good when vehicle is not running, windows slow, etc.
I took to battery place because the battery and alternator are both about a year old. They did alternator check - about 12.4 volts. battery eye was milky white....the battery guy figured it was alternator before he even checked. The damn thing (alternator) is about a month over warranty. If I would have had it checked when I first noticed, I would have gotten warranty.

Is the alternator screwed or is there something I can do to try to revive it?

Brad

Hard to say without proper testing on alternator.
But I would take it back where you got it and see if they will test it and maybe extend the warranty a little.
Or at the lest give you a free test on it.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thanks. I did some more testing after my post. I used my voltmeter right off of the batt. terminal on my alt. and still could not get alternator voltage over 12.99 with engine RPM's up. With most accessories off. As soon as I started turning on lights, wipers, fan blower motor, power windows, etc. it dropped way below acceptable. I guess I will have to replace it. Damn thing was over $200 with tax(if I remember correctly).:banghead:

Thanks again.

This is why I always have my alternators rebuilt- I have a local automotive electrical shop rebuild it- it takes them under 1 hour and cost me never more than 60 or 70 dollars- and they guarantee them for a year. They turn the armature, replace all diodes, and bearings- all why I go get lunch. Plus I've known the owner for more than 30 yrs...Perhaps you have one in your town......

With the engine running at 1500 RPM, all accessories off, and a fully charged battery, voltage should be 14.2 volts. This is assuming the red battery light is not illuminated on your dash. If it is illuminated, the alternator is not charging. Advance Auto parts and AZ both have new alternators with a lifetime warranty for around $140.00US. Depends what year vehicle you have, but they are all around that price.

This is why I always have my alternators rebuilt- I have a local automotive electrical shop rebuild it- it takes them under 1 hour and cost me never more than 60 or 70 dollars- and they guarantee them for a year. They turn the armature, replace all diodes, and bearings- all why I go get lunch. Plus I've known the owner for more than 30 yrs...Perhaps you have one in your town......

You are luckie to have one of them places.
Use them while you can and enjoy them :grinyes:
Not many left any more.
Old days you could put brushes and bearing in them but now days some are almost sealed up and you can not even get some parts.
Same on starters anymore.
Rebuilt or new one anymore for most people.
MT

He said the hydrometer on the battery was white. A good battery should have a green eye. I wouldn't rule out the battery so soon. Load testing a battery isn't enough. Use a capacitance tester..

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