Charging system
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 42
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From: Lake Worth Florida
Charging system
I have a C-6 2006. Was driving the car over the weekend and stopped at a light the check charging system light came on, checked the battery and it is good(put it in 6 months ago).Checked the alt and it showers charging but not at idle. is there some kind of diode in the alt?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
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I have a C-6 2006. Was driving the car over the weekend and stopped at a light the check charging system light came on, checked the battery and it is good(put it in 6 months ago).Checked the alt and it showers charging but not at idle. is there some kind of diode in the alt?
Yes, bridge rectifier (4 diodes), as well as voltage regulator circuit down line as well.
But chances are that your armature brushes are worn, and only making contact at higher RPM.
Pull the alternator, pull the back cover, and take a look at the contact force of the bushing to the armature contacts (and if the braided wires are stretched all the way out), and if needed, just the brushes can be replaced for only a few dollars (any electric motor/starter shop should have replacements. If the brush housing is worn/cracked, it too can be replace a lot cheaper than having to buy an alternator.
Short version, if the alternator is making full output at higher rpms, then it's a bush problem.
