Quick tech problem: A couple of times this past month my battery light has come on when I first start the car up. It flickers on and off randomly for a bit and then goes away. I wouldn't care except that the output voltage is spiking tremendously. Today the voltmeter was reading 18+ I had the radio on, the blower on full and the lights on and if I revved the car a little (ie to 3k, while driving) it would still creep up past 17V! Obviously I can't keep on like this; something's gonna fry!

Any ideas?

 

Maybe have some kind of regulator bad....Im not sure but I think the alternators have a voltage regulator

 

The regulator is inside the alternator.... head down to the parts store and score another alternator - you are going to fry things.

 

Ahhh FRICK this is my third frickin' alternator within 6 months!

Thanks for the reply though I actually just unplugged the alt and ran off battery today. I figure I can do that for a bit - let it charge then run off the charge until I can get a new alternator.

I hate my car

 

Yeah the regulators are inside of the alternator you can get a rebuild kit but its easier to just swap it out. If this is your 6th one did you buy one with a lifetime gaurantee??

 

No no, 3rd alternator in 6 months, not six alternators

I bought the cheaper alternator, the one with a 1-year warranty (only the brushes were replaced) instead of the 5-year warranty + completely rebuilt unit. on me for cheaping out... it's going to come back and haunt me now.

Hopefully I can find the receipt now

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by raene &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No no, 3rd alternator in 6 months, not six alternators

I bought the cheaper alternator, the one with a 1-year warranty (only the brushes were replaced) instead of the 5-year warranty + completely rebuilt unit. on me for cheaping out... it's going to come back and haunt me now.

Hopefully I can find the receipt now </TD></TR></TABLE>
D'oh Got stuch on the whole 6 !! I bought my alternator from Autozone and it came with a lifetime warranty I have just exchanged but I still never had a problem with it. I just exchanged it cause I figured get a new one while my motor was out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vinceg99 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
D'oh Got stuch on the whole 6 !! I bought my alternator from Autozone and it came with a lifetime warranty I have just exchanged but I still never had a problem with it. I just exchanged it cause I figured get a new one while my motor was out. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I do that w/ my lifetime warrenty pepboys axles hahaa
everytime i pull my motor, its lifetime warrenty replacement time

 

Well, I replaced it with a 5-year warranty unit, and it seems to be fine now.

If only I could fix that leaking IACV hose, and the sticking front brake calipers, and the worn-out hubs, and resurface the rear brakes, and replace the ignitor... I might have a decent car.

I hate my