Thanks Forum for all the information to help me make my decision.

First off my digital gage was fluctuating from 13.9 down as low as 10.8 with various loads, i.e., turn signals, brakes, lights and HVAC. I thought the range of fluctuation was a little much and went on the forum to ask a few questions. The forum said to run a test on the battery first; tested the battery and it read good (11.2 volts) but needed a charge. This told me the alternator was working at certain times just enough to keep the battery at 11.1 volts. I took the alternator out and had it bench tested at an auto parts store; it tested good. My gut feeling said something is just not right. The forum also mentioned that buying some alternator's from an auto parts store out of the box would not work in the C5 for what ever reason. Some guys tried 3ea different alternators that had to be taken back to the store. One guy mentioned to re-build your existing alternator, not hard at all just follow the instructions on the forum.
I elected to re-build mine.... I started off replacing the voltage regular for $41.00. This did the trick, the gage now reads 14.3 volts and with a load does not go below 13.5 volts. I tested my battery after driving several hours and It tested good (12.0 volts). Save some money first by installing the voltage regulator that comes all inclusive with new brushes built in. Hope this helps....

 

Good info and glad you were able to get the repair done with minimal expense. Sure beats buying a new alternator.

 

Thanks for the feedback....

 

FYI - a fully charged battery should read 12.6-12.8 V. Depending on the type of battery, 12.0 V is 75% discharged, and 11.7-8 V is 100% discharged, or "dead". Any no load, resting, reading of 11.1 or 11.2 V is not "good" and you were lucky you could revive that battery.

 

Where did you find the Voltage Regulator kit?

 

 

Wholesale Alternator & Starter Parts
6160 Skyline Ct
Spring Hill, Florida 24606
353-688-3206
www.aspwholesale.com
$41.08, Part Number M526, regulator/Brush Holder Assy, Valeo IR/IF Alternators 12 Volt, B-Circuit, S-FR-L-D terminals

 

Thank you. I still have my old one sitting in the garage. I'm going to rebuild it as a spare.

 

U Tube has some excellent videos on re building the Valeo alternators including the rotator if need be. Good luck!

 

 

This should be part of a sticky!!!!

 

Tacman,
Love that pic of your engine. Great work!

 

Does anyone know if all the base Corvettes would use this part number ? I have a 2003 coupe and want to order the right part. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Take down all the information from your alternator's label as follows; name/type (Valeo ?) volts, model number, etc. and go to the web-site, www.aspwholesale.com, plug in your information and it will cross reference to the right part (voltage regular) for your alternator. It only takes two minutes to take off the alternator if you have to. Hope this helps...

 

The year of my corvette is a 2001