Alternator help?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Alternator help?
Hi all,
Boy , seems like everything is bustin these days.
Here is the situation...
While driving the car all is normal ( for a C3 )
Then, the car is stumbling...I notice that the rpm is fine....the Voltage meter is not. If i increase the RPM, still doesnt help...
The voltage meter that was just reading around 14-15 volts is now reading 8 or 7.
Lights are dimming, radio dimming ,etc...
Then , as if touched by the Gods of Chevrolet, all goes back to normal.:rolleyes:
What gives, alternator?? :(
Thanks
Kevin
[Modified by ksems, 12:39 PM 9/19/2001]
[Modified by ksems, 12:40 PM 9/19/2001]
Boy , seems like everything is bustin these days.
Here is the situation...
While driving the car all is normal ( for a C3 )
Then, the car is stumbling...I notice that the rpm is fine....the Voltage meter is not. If i increase the RPM, still doesnt help...
The voltage meter that was just reading around 14-15 volts is now reading 8 or 7.
Lights are dimming, radio dimming ,etc...
Then , as if touched by the Gods of Chevrolet, all goes back to normal.:rolleyes:
What gives, alternator?? :(
Thanks
Kevin
[Modified by ksems, 12:39 PM 9/19/2001]
[Modified by ksems, 12:40 PM 9/19/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: Alternator help? (ksems)
A quick way to check the alt - Start the motor & let it idle. Take a regular non-magnetic screwdriver and hold it to the back side of the alt.
If it's charging, it will generate an electro-magnetic field that will attract the screwdriver.
Have someone else watch the volt gauge while you do this to see what it's doing.
If it's charging, it will generate an electro-magnetic field that will attract the screwdriver.
Have someone else watch the volt gauge while you do this to see what it's doing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: Alternator help? (ksems)
ksems:
Just went through something like you are experiencing with my '81. Finally discovered that the small white electrical lead which plugs into the alternator had some grease on it, and it would periodically loose connection and not charge properly. I removed alternator, disassembled, cleaned and regrease bearing area, and re-assembled and no more intermittent charging problems.
Your problem may be something different, like a bad connection or ground, but you just may have the same problem.
Just went through something like you are experiencing with my '81. Finally discovered that the small white electrical lead which plugs into the alternator had some grease on it, and it would periodically loose connection and not charge properly. I removed alternator, disassembled, cleaned and regrease bearing area, and re-assembled and no more intermittent charging problems.
Your problem may be something different, like a bad connection or ground, but you just may have the same problem.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Fresno
Re: Alternator help? (ksems)
Take the alternator out and take it to a shop to be tested. yours is internally regulated so the
regulator can be going bad. Also clean ALL alternator connections and check battery cables
for acid or any sign of deterioration.Travis
regulator can be going bad. Also clean ALL alternator connections and check battery cables
for acid or any sign of deterioration.Travis
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Re: Alternator help? (ksems)
Check connections.
If you look at the alternator, there is a two wire plug, usually brown and red. If the red wire breaks, the alternator field is not energized and the alternator will not charge. I have had this connector break twice (about every 3 years or so).
If you look at the alternator, there is a two wire plug, usually brown and red. If the red wire breaks, the alternator field is not energized and the alternator will not charge. I have had this connector break twice (about every 3 years or so).
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Re: Alternator help? (ksems)
Thanks for the replies.
Ive got yet another weekend full of things :
- alternator
- replace rear u-joints
- check parking brake cable
- find source of mysterious rattle that goes away 30-45 seconds after I start the car ( heat riser valve ? )
well, the weather is supposed to be nice
Kevin
Ive got yet another weekend full of things :
- alternator
- replace rear u-joints
- check parking brake cable
- find source of mysterious rattle that goes away 30-45 seconds after I start the car ( heat riser valve ? )
well, the weather is supposed to be nice
Kevin
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Re: Alternator help? (ksems)
Hi all,
pulled the plug at the alternator and cleaned it quickly.
Reinstalled and drove ( running out of daylight )
It helped alot, I think that is the problem. The voltage did drop a little but noithing like before. I will take that connection off again and clean it thoroughly
tomorrow and I think this will solve it.
The half shaft u-joints took me most of the day.
Ill keep you all posted,
Thanks
Kevin
pulled the plug at the alternator and cleaned it quickly.
Reinstalled and drove ( running out of daylight )
It helped alot, I think that is the problem. The voltage did drop a little but noithing like before. I will take that connection off again and clean it thoroughly
tomorrow and I think this will solve it.
The half shaft u-joints took me most of the day.
Ill keep you all posted,
Thanks
Kevin
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