Electrical, Wiring, and In Car Entertainment Electrical, Wiring and In Car Entertainment questions belong here.

Weird alternator problem.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 27, 2007
  #1  
Physpher's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Haslet
Rep Power: 0
Physpher is an unknown quantity at this point
Arrow Weird alternator problem.

I have had my boss load alternator for almost a year now and about 2 months ago it started spiking at 20v. So i took it to Alterstart in dallas (horrible customer service by the way) and they tested it and replaced the voltage regulator.
After installing it, I was getting a constant 14.4v out and was a happy camper for about 2 or 3 days.
Recently i started dipping down to 11v and rarely higher. Tonight it was bad so i checked the output for the alternator with a multimeter and it was pushing out 15.3v which is good. What would cause this to happen. I have an Optima Yellow top and both the alternator and battery are a year old. The output wire is 4 guage so it can carry everything fine.

I am really at a loss for this one. The only thing left is a bad battery? Either way they are both kind of expensive to fix. blah.
thanks for the help in advance.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2007
  #2  
christmaspie's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: Temecula, CA
Rep Power: 263
christmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Weird alternator problem.

15.3V @ the alt then??
And where is the 11V reading coming from, the battery or elsewhere?
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007
  #3  
Physpher's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Haslet
Rep Power: 0
Physpher is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Weird alternator problem.

15.3 off the alt.
and the 11 readings are from the radio fuse and the battery itself, while on the alternators power
and thats while revving, not too sure how high i was using the throttle under the hood. probably around 2-3k as usual.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007
  #4  
christmaspie's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: Temecula, CA
Rep Power: 263
christmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of lightchristmaspie is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Weird alternator problem.

Set your meter for voltage, put your red lead to the positive alternator output and black lead to the positive post at the battery while engine is on. Let's see how much drop you're getting for sure before the batt.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007
  #5  
greeen01civic4d's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 1
From: southern Illinois
Rep Power: 0
greeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to beholdgreeen01civic4d is a splendid one to behold
Re: Weird alternator problem.

also, check the alternator fuse under the dash, i had the same problem, even with new battery and alternator, and it ended up being the fuse, check it, itll make the alternator show a low charge, even if its good
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007
  #6  
electric130's Avatar
Administrator
Administrator
iTrader: (44)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte
Rep Power: 291
electric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond reputeelectric130 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Weird alternator problem.

check for corrosion on the battery terminals as well as the alternator terminals.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
geforce789
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
1
Aug 19, 2015 06:17 AM
WaryDriver
6th Generation Civic 1996 - 2000
3
Aug 8, 2015 05:08 PM
BootyDo
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
7
Jul 26, 2015 10:38 AM
jzhartman
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
22
Jul 23, 2015 10:42 PM
jody501
Fuel, Oil, Cleaners & Other Maintenance
10
Jul 10, 2015 11:01 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:06 PM.