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I recently rebuilt my motor and tranny 1980 L-48 auto. It came out great,runs great. Just put over 1,000 miles on it. Here is my problem,the alternator went so i replaced it with a rebuilt. Then the battery went. I put the new battery in and it was overcharging. I brought the battery back and got a new one,still the same thing. I checked the voltage and it was 16.5 volts. I brought back the alternator and got a new one and it reads 15 volts. Do I have a short or something? Can anyone help and give me ideas on what to look for or what to do,Help
I have had rebuilt alternators that were bad, returned for another and got another bad one. Have them check the alternator but sounds to me just like a run of rebuilt junk- my bias.
An alternator at normal engine rpm should be putting out around 14.6 volts, if my memory serves me right. Your alternator must put out more volts than the battery to allow the alternator to power the electrical system.
Did you use a digital or analog voltmeter to test your alternator? Use a digital to ensure that you are getting proper voltage.
Gary
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: overcharging battery (Koz)
Doesn't the regulator decide how much juice to send to the battery?
Yes, but the regulator is internal to the alternator on the 1980. You can either rebuild the alternator your self with a kit from http://www.alternatorparts.com/gm_al...grade_kits.htm (really good guys -- I trust them and they sell good products at a good price), or you can replace the entire unit again.
Before installing the next unit, have them test the new alternator on their test stand to see what volts it is putting out there.
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