is my alternator going out
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: benicia ca
is my alternator going out
i noticed at idle my alternator gage bounces around, between say 13 and 15 or 16 volts , should it be more steady at idle, the voltage seems correct, i was wondering if this was the start of a failure? i do run my car at high speeds quite often , lets just say over a 100 often , i hope someone out there has seen this , i have a 90 vert l98, TIA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
i learned not to trust that gauge on your dash for an accurate volt reading, however if the gauge has been fluctuating, there is probably something wrong with the alternator... its easy to take it out, and autozone will test it for free...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Measure the voltage across the battery terminals with a voltmeter to see if it is also bouncing around. If not, you have a defective dash voltmeter. If it is bouncing , you have an alternator with a defective voltage regulator. You can replace the voltage regulator if you want to take apart your alternator , or you can just replace the alternator.
