Bad Alternator? Need Advice

"trotzo" wrote

Is the battery working OK or have you killed it? Sounds like voltage reg as a possibility, and much cheaper!

Nope, batts fine.... haven't killed it and car starts right up

Sounds like a regulator to me. Take it to Checkzone Boys and have'em hook it up to see if it's charging correctly. Problem is they'll sometimes tell you it's the alt when it's really the voltage regulator. Trust me, I know. Checker tried to sell me a $100 alt instead of the $12 regulator. It was the regulator. Course mine is a '68, not a modern car, so I don't know FOR SURE.

It's the alternator..

Take it off and have it load tested at autozone.

Could be brushes or reg or even diode block

I recently had most of the diodes in my rectifier assy blow and had a helluva time making it home at night.. fortunately was on a freeway... had to kill headlights to get batt charged back up every few miles.

Test: difference in volt reading headlights on/off.

I did notice that after starting the car, this problem doesn't appear for about 5 mins or so. Volt guage is normal. It's only after running for a bit it starts happening..... Does this have any bearing on the problem?

I did notice that after starting the car, this problem doesn't appear for about 5 mins or so. Volt guage is normal. It's only after running for a bit it starts happening..... Does this have any bearing on the problem? Also, the waterpump was just replaced (not by me, dealer warranty), is it possible something didn't get connected properly?

I did notice that after starting the car, this problem doesn't appear for about 5 mins or so. Volt guage is normal. It's only after running for a bit it starts happening..... Does this have any bearing on the problem? Also, the waterpump was just replaced (not by me, dealer warranty), is it possible something didn't get connected properly? As far as I know, one has to remove the alternator to replace the waterpump.

While it may be the alternator, as suggested previously, it may be something else too. ¨

I am speaking generically, and am not familiar with the exact system your car uses but:

- Be sure to check the condition of the belt and the tension. A slipping belt, due to burnishing, grease, other contamination can cause problems. If you have a serpentine with tensioner, be sure that tensioner is installed properly and working as it should.

- Be sure your cable terminals are clean and are properly connected to battery, alternator, starter, ground points etc. Dirty or loose cables are another big mess.

- While Autozone will happily test your alternator, think twice before buying one of their rebuilt units. They have a lifetime warranty, but are not highly praised in the pits. Doesn't mean you have to buy from Ford either.

- If a regulator is bad, then the replacement is a cheap and relatively easy fix.