Alt. Replaced 6 ms. Ago 1994 civic stock, 175000 mi.

Head lights pulsating about twice per sec
Dash charging red lamp flashing especially during revving

Voltage at battery fluctuates 16
.2 to 16.8 V

Quickest cheapest most expedient test,replacement,diagnostic, regulator?!? Test,replace?!?

 

Replace.

 

The brushes that ride on the stator are failing and/or the regulator is failing, I had this happen a couple times in my integra. It's and intermediate fault so a lot of times unless you pull up to a shop while its acting up a test wont catch it.

Keep an eye on the pulsation and make sure the alternator is not letting to much voltage through(headlights and interior lights brighter than normal). That was my scenario, I blew my headlight bulbs out because of it and had to drive home in the dark with just amber corner bulbs.

No a days it cost as much to replace as it is to fix to so would just replace it.. Its only 6months old? I would assume its under warranty.

 

Yeah thanks for the info. I just wonder what ( besides reman. alts. being garbage right out the box ) might be causing either the symptoms or repeatedly trashing these alts.

 

big stereos that are constantly turned up can cause premature failure. are you going through alts regularly?

I have found through experience though that more often than not they are rebuilt poorly with remand remand remand parts.