Alternator question
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From: Southern WV
Alternator question
Noticed on the way home that voltage meter was down like the glow plugs were on. So first thing I did was unhook the GPR, didnt help. When I got home, checked voltage and alternator is only putting out 12v. Dont they usually just crap out all together or drop to a low output? Could it be something simple? Dont want to just start replacing parts.
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From: Lakewood, Colorado
I drove mine 400 miles with the battery light on in the dash.... showed 10 volts or so on the start of the trip and then 8 or so on the dash at the end.... threw a new alternator on it and no problems since...
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Ditto on getting it checked at the auto shop/parts store.
When they fail, they usually don't produce any energy so all you will read at the output terminal is the battery voltage. When they are working the lowest you'll usually see is 13.6VDC. Just because the voltage is up doesn't mean they will charge the battery - you should check their output current, too, under load.
FWIW, every vehicle my wife has driven in the last 20 years has had an alternator failure somewhere in its history. Never, ever, has the idiot light 'turned on' when the alternator went. GM, Toyota, Ford - doesn't matter. The van did it last week, while I was on business travel....yes, she's getting the 'jumper box' for xmas.
When they fail, they usually don't produce any energy so all you will read at the output terminal is the battery voltage. When they are working the lowest you'll usually see is 13.6VDC. Just because the voltage is up doesn't mean they will charge the battery - you should check their output current, too, under load.
FWIW, every vehicle my wife has driven in the last 20 years has had an alternator failure somewhere in its history. Never, ever, has the idiot light 'turned on' when the alternator went. GM, Toyota, Ford - doesn't matter. The van did it last week, while I was on business travel....yes, she's getting the 'jumper box' for xmas.
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