92 vette altinator problem?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
92 vette altinator problem?
Hey guys i have a 92 vette lt1, just got it last week so its new to me, the problem I am having is, sometimes my altinator puts out up to 16.4 volts, it doesn't seem to matter if your idleing or driving, and you never know when it may do it, normally it runs around 14.2. I believe the 16.4 is to high and I am afraid it may short my computer out, have any of you ever experienced this, and were should I start looking? Thanks Ben..
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 12
From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Yes, you are correct. Your alternator is sometimes charging at too high a rate.
Acceptable voltage is between 13.8-14.4 volts.
The only item which regulates the voltage is the "voltage regulator" which is found inside the alternator.
First, have your battery load tested. A badly discharged battery (or bad battery) can cause a regulator to spike or charge too high.
If the battery checks out OK, then your regulator is defective.
In the order of least expensive to most expensive:
You can replace the regulator yourself.
Pay someone to do this.
OR replace your alternator.
Autozone or Advance can check out your battery for FREE. You do need to remove the battery and bring to them for testing.
Hope this helps!
Acceptable voltage is between 13.8-14.4 volts.
The only item which regulates the voltage is the "voltage regulator" which is found inside the alternator.
First, have your battery load tested. A badly discharged battery (or bad battery) can cause a regulator to spike or charge too high.
If the battery checks out OK, then your regulator is defective.
In the order of least expensive to most expensive:
You can replace the regulator yourself.
Pay someone to do this.
OR replace your alternator.
Autozone or Advance can check out your battery for FREE. You do need to remove the battery and bring to them for testing.
Hope this helps!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
don't know if the 92's have a better alternator.
My 87 with CS130 has had at least 5 during it's life. If you replace it don't buy anything without a lifetime warranty.
the regulator assy overheats and burns up.
They are all soldered together inside and not easily repaired like the old style Si GM alternators.
The last 2 alterntors have been aftermarket new design. I'm on my 3rd alternator on my lifetime warranty. That's in 15yrs.
2 things I can tell you as fact.
If you have a aux fan out front not controlled by ecu get a lower temp thermostat for it. It will keep things a little cooler under the hood and help.
Keep you battery charged up. If the car sits a lot a weak battery will make the alternator work harder and heat up more to try and charge the battery. I'm pretty sure that killed the last alternator.
JS
My 87 with CS130 has had at least 5 during it's life. If you replace it don't buy anything without a lifetime warranty.
the regulator assy overheats and burns up.
They are all soldered together inside and not easily repaired like the old style Si GM alternators.
The last 2 alterntors have been aftermarket new design. I'm on my 3rd alternator on my lifetime warranty. That's in 15yrs.
2 things I can tell you as fact.
If you have a aux fan out front not controlled by ecu get a lower temp thermostat for it. It will keep things a little cooler under the hood and help.
Keep you battery charged up. If the car sits a lot a weak battery will make the alternator work harder and heat up more to try and charge the battery. I'm pretty sure that killed the last alternator.
JS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I have a 94 alternator on my 86. I paid $35 for the last one.
I would recommend you buy a used one and then fix yours, and when the spare one craps out, pop yours back in. They go in and out in less than an hour even if you are interrupted by phone, wife, etc.
I think they are essentially the same from 92-96
I would recommend you buy a used one and then fix yours, and when the spare one craps out, pop yours back in. They go in and out in less than an hour even if you are interrupted by phone, wife, etc.
I think they are essentially the same from 92-96
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Oct 19, 2012 at 03:38 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Yes, you are correct. Your alternator is sometimes charging at too high a rate.
Acceptable voltage is between 13.8-14.4 volts.
The only item which regulates the voltage is the "voltage regulator" which is found inside the alternator.
First, have your battery load tested. A badly discharged battery (or bad battery) can cause a regulator to spike or charge too high.If the battery checks out OK, then your regulator is defective.
In the order of least expensive to most expensive:
You can replace the regulator yourself.
Pay someone to do this.
OR replace your alternator.
Autozone or Advance can check out your battery for FREE. You do need to remove the battery and bring to them for testing.
Hope this helps!
Acceptable voltage is between 13.8-14.4 volts.
The only item which regulates the voltage is the "voltage regulator" which is found inside the alternator.
First, have your battery load tested. A badly discharged battery (or bad battery) can cause a regulator to spike or charge too high.If the battery checks out OK, then your regulator is defective.
In the order of least expensive to most expensive:
You can replace the regulator yourself.
Pay someone to do this.
OR replace your alternator.
Autozone or Advance can check out your battery for FREE. You do need to remove the battery and bring to them for testing.
Hope this helps!
