This refers to a 1994 Chevy Corsica with a 6 cylinder engine.
Is it possible for the car's computer to send a signal to the alternator telling it to increase the voltage output? Does the alternator have a variable-voltage regulator that is controlled by the computer?
The reason I am asking this is because an indicator light on the instrument panel sometimes comes on that indicates an electrical problem. The light is red and is shaped like a battery. When the light comes on I am reading 16 volts at the cigarette lighter jack with a voltmeter. When the light goes out it reads 14 volts. It comes on and off intermittently. I know that the battery is good.
To repair this problem, I purchased a new alternator (which contains an internal voltage regulator) today and installed it. I started the car and everything was fine for a couple minutes, then suddenly the indicator light came on and was MUCH brighter than before and a loud noise came from my radio speakers. I immediately shut the car off and checked my work and verified that I had properly installed the alternator, which I had. I started the car and the same thing happened again. I immediately shut it off to prevent damage to the car. I then disconnected the heavy red wire from the alternator to prevent the alternator from sending electricity to the car, started the car, and checked the voltage output at the alternator. It measured only 9 volts, a minute later dropped to one-half volt, and has not come back up since.
I don't know if this new (actually remanufactured) alternator is defective, or if something in the car such as the computer is sending a signal to the alternator telling it to put out way too much voltage. I noticed that there is a 4-conductor plug that plugs into the alternator, so I am suspicious that the computer is controlling how much voltage the alternator puts out as if the alternator has a variable-voltage regulator that is controlled by the computer. Can someone please tell me what may be the problem? Thank you.