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Is this a sign of a bad alternator?

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Old 09-29-2004, 06:56 PM
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Default Is this a sign of a bad alternator?

When ever my car is idling and I turn on my lights with the fog light switch already on the on position, the RPM drops from the normal 750 to around 500 and jumps back up to about a 1000 then settles down to 750 again, but with the fog lights off, the RPM doesn't drop as low, about 700 and back to 750. It's been doing this about 2 weeks now.
Old 09-29-2004, 07:00 PM
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Default Re: Is this a sign of a bad alternator? (Gump)

not too sure, my alternator went out but i never noticed that. all i noticed was the burning smell and whining...then the ****** caught on fire. still have never heard of an alternator catching on fire....
Old 09-29-2004, 07:02 PM
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Default Re: Is this a sign of a bad alternator? (Gump)

I wouldn't think it's a sign of your alternator. I would think it would be something more electrical such as an ELD (electric load detector) which measures the amount of current and sends a signal to the ECU indicating the amount. The ECU adjusts the idle speed to ensure that a proper voltage is maintained in the electrical system when the engine is idling.

However, that's just a guess, I have no experience with this problem.
Old 09-29-2004, 07:04 PM
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It only does this during warm up, and after a while of driving it around, it doesn't do it anymore. Thought it had something to do with my valve adjustment I did last week, cause I had adjusted it a bit tight, but I adjusted it again today with a little more play, and it's still doing the same thing.



Modified by Gump at 9:15 PM 9/29/2004
Old 09-29-2004, 07:48 PM
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Default Re: Is this a sign of a bad alternator? (Gump)

The idle control valve might need some cleaning.

Its function is to maintain correct idle speed depending on engine load such as A/C, electrical load....etc.
If it is sticking or slow to react, you will get some idle fluctions before it settles down.
Old 09-29-2004, 08:16 PM
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Default Re: Is this a sign of a bad alternator? (JD_B18CDX)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JD_B18CDX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The idle control valve might need some cleaning.

Its function is to maintain correct idle speed depending on engine load such as A/C, electrical load....etc.
If it is sticking or slow to react, you will get some idle fluctions before it settles down.</TD></TR></TABLE>I'll clean it out tomorrow, but I have a feeling it isn't that.
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