alternator question
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Senior User
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alternator question
Well, I'm pretty sure my alternator crapped out tonight. Here's the deal: drove it to school today, no problems at all. Took the Mrs. out to see the christmas lights, and after a bit, the truck would die every time I slowed down at a stop sign, turn, or light. I managed to limp her home. However, once I got it home, I pulled it into the neighbor's drive to back it into it's space. It died again, but wouldn't restart because the battery didn't have any juice. It started right back up every time but this one, so here's my thoughts: when the engine was run up during driving it was fine. However, when it slowed to idle, the alternator couldn't keep up and was killing it. Thoughts anybody???
Hate to throw parts at it, but this seems pretty open and shut...
Hate to throw parts at it, but this seems pretty open and shut...
New User
Joined: Oct 2013
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any problems with head lights dimming when the engine would slow down, (like when you would slow down for a stop sign or red light) then brighten back up when you accelerated? check the vacuum line on your carb, that may explain the problem keeping it running while not on the throttle.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,140
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From: Port Orchard Wa
Any chance you have a multimeter? Could be alternator, voltage regulator, or battery.
If you remove the alternator, take it to napa and ask them to bench test it for you. Don't just start buying parts............
If you remove the alternator, take it to napa and ask them to bench test it for you. Don't just start buying parts............
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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Good suggestions above. For the electrical, suggest you give the battery a good charge. Then get or buy a volt meter. With the battery charged and truck "off" you should see ~12.5 volts at the battery. Start her up and fast idle ~1500 RPM with lights and accessories off and you should see over 13 volts... 13.5 - 14.4 would be ideal at the battery. Now keep the fast idle and turn on lights and heater... voltage may drop a little but if >13.x volts the charging system is OK. It may drop a bit more at "regular" idle but not a big problem as long as it recovers when the engine is sped up.
If voltages are less than mentioned above, may be a charging system/wiring problem. Otherwise look elsewhere... (eg vacuum leak or other).
If voltages are less than mentioned above, may be a charging system/wiring problem. Otherwise look elsewhere... (eg vacuum leak or other).
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Thanks for the reply's guys. Until the battery died, I honestly thought it was a carb/vacuum problem. I didn't notice the headlights dimming, but I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to that, since I was just trying to limp it home. The battery started the truck really well each time until I got home. I'll definitely will have it tested, and yes I have a multimeter, but by the time I got home it was dark and cold so I just pushed it into its spot, took the battery inside so it wouldn't freeze, and called it a night.
Couple notes: the battery has been tested, and is good. It was freshly charged and installed a few days ago. This is the first time this truck has been used in a few years, if that makes a difference.
Also, where is the voltage regulator located on these?
Couple notes: the battery has been tested, and is good. It was freshly charged and installed a few days ago. This is the first time this truck has been used in a few years, if that makes a difference.
Also, where is the voltage regulator located on these?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2014
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Thanks for the reply's guys. Until the battery died, I honestly thought it was a carb/vacuum problem. I didn't notice the headlights dimming, but I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to that, since I was just trying to limp it home. The battery started the truck really well each time until I got home. I'll definitely will have it tested, and yes I have a multimeter, but by the time I got home it was dark and cold so I just pushed it into its spot, took the battery inside so it wouldn't freeze, and called it a night.
Couple notes: the battery has been tested, and is good. It was freshly charged and installed a few days ago. This is the first time this truck has been used in a few years, if that makes a difference.
Also, where is the voltage regulator located on these?
Couple notes: the battery has been tested, and is good. It was freshly charged and installed a few days ago. This is the first time this truck has been used in a few years, if that makes a difference.
Also, where is the voltage regulator located on these?
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