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Alternator / Charging question

I have an 88GT Convertible with a 3g alternator. I have had strange voltmeter gauge problems with it ever since I got it.

When I originally got the car it had a stock 2g alternator in it and the gauge behaved the same way as it does now. The needle will hang around halfway on the gauge (which I assume is correct). When I turn accessories on the gauge drops slightly. When I turn my turn signals on it drops/goes back up synchronously with the blinker. With all my accessories on it use to drop into the red zone So I installed a 3g alternator along with 2 gauge wiring. The gauge doesn't drop as dramatically as it use to but it still does a little. I've asked a couple other guys with fox's and 3g's and they tell me their gauge is rock solid with their 3g alternator.

I tested the battery with my voltmeter at idle with all my accessories on and I get 14.2V. The gauge in the car sure as hell doesn't reflect that! It is hard to read the stock gauge inside the car but I want to say it is showing somewhere between 9-10v with all the accessories on.

Ideas / Suggestions?

Andy

Reply to
Andy Budwill
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Sounds like its within normal ranges, to me. Is there some specific electrical problem that would make you think there's a problem?

Gauges are funny things... The true test is that the car starts, accessories run effeciently and your lights stay bright regardless of the rpm level. If all these check out ok, don't go looking for problems that probably don't exist...

Reply to
Mustang_66

No real electrical problems making me suspect something. Just the strange gauge behavior. One thing though, I was under the impression my lights would not dim when the rest of the system is under load. When I roll both my windows up at the same time at idle the headlights dim a little.

Andy

Reply to
Andy Budwill

Reply to
John Wiebalk

Nope

Reply to
Andy Budwill

SOunds more or less normal to me. I've had cars with "no problems" that would dim like that and others with "no problems" where that didn't happen. It may depend on how the cars wiring is arranged, the actual output voltage of the alternator, the condition of the battery, etc. All could be within normal specs but on the low side and allow it to dim a little bit.

----------------- Jim '88 LX 5.0 (now in car heaven) '89 LX 5.0 vert '99 GT 35th Anniversery Edition - Silver Mods to date - Relocated trunk release to drivers side, shortened throttle cable.

Reply to
AZGuy

Sounds good I feel better about it now (:

Andy

Reply to
Andy Budwill

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