Voltage Charging issue
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Marlton
Voltage Charging issue
In October my battery failed and I was told there was a bad cell from a faulty alternator. The battery was swapped and I changed the alternator and belt. There was an issue locating the correct alternator because the pulley widths wouldn't match 8 vs 6 ribbed. I now notice the headlight dim at idle and the voltage is 12V until you rev above idle which generates 13.8 to 14V. I have a 02 Expy AWD. From what I see by the part number is a 130amp.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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How many miles on the alternator? The brushes may be worn down. If you catch them before they gouge the slip rings, you might get away cheap by just having to replace the brushes. While you have them out, have the voltage regulator checked. Good luck
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Junior User
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From: Marlton
Battery and alternator were both replaced this October so there shouldn't be anything else in the circuit? The belt isn't slipping and also was changed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Tennessee
Regulator is in alternator . Plug connects alternator to truck . Ck conditon of plug terminals . Most likley you need to replace alt. Hope you have a warranty . I have put them on to only have them fail a week later .
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
I had a similar problem with my Navigator and I bought a new, not remanned alternator and had the same recurring problem. I kept taking them back until I got a good one. Autozone was not happy with me and I was really tired of changing the alternator. I did get pretty good at it though. 
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If you do get another alternator, have them bench test it before you leave the store, I've gotten bad ones right off the shelf a number of times, also I suggest getting one from Napa or a similar store as they tend to be a little better quality. The ones from the Auto Zone type store are a cheap as you can get.
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Lead Driver
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From: Tennessee
If you do get another alternator, have them bench test it before you leave the store, I've gotten bad ones right off the shelf a number of times, also I suggest getting one from Napa or a similar store as they tend to be a little better quality. The ones from the Auto Zone type store are a cheap as you can get.
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From: Marlton
Thanks for all the input. When I went back to PepBoys and explained the situation they said the 02 was a split year on the build and I needed an 03 alternator which was not correct. They were all over the place looking of for the correct alternator. The only issue with the called out part for the 02 Expy was the 8 rib pulley, so finally I had them take my 6 rib pulley and swapped it off the new alt.
After installing things look great but I hope it lasts. I wish I checked back on the forum before I went there because I would like to have it tested before hand. How long does a single alternator test take?
After installing things look great but I hope it lasts. I wish I checked back on the forum before I went there because I would like to have it tested before hand. How long does a single alternator test take?
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