Alternator questions

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Jan 24, 2005 | 07:59 AM

dan66tampa

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 89

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From: treasure island FLorida

Alternator questions

Good freezing morning everyone

Im having trouble charging my battery when my truck is running. The battery voltage is about 12.2 at the momment and when the engine is running it stays the same. Shouldn't the alternator make the voltage jump to about 14v? Also when I put my meter cables to the red pole on the alternator while it's running Im getting a reading of 12.2. THis is a brand new alternator is this normal?
Also I believe there is a short in the lines becuase Im getting an arc on my positive cable when the engine is off and the keys are out.
I have already replaced the ignition switch, voltage regulator, soleniod.

Jan 24, 2005 | 09:52 AM

frty7ford

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 700

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From: Fairbanks

I just had to replace my alternator for the same problem. The Diode in it had gone out and allowed voltage to go both ways.

Jan 24, 2005 | 11:58 AM

barry

Postmaster

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 2,813

Likes: 6

From: Connecticut

Never trust rebuilt alternators. They do as little as possible to re-sell them. I don't know where you bought it, but take it back and have them test it or see if you can find a local starter-alternator shop the specializes in repairs. They can tell if it's crapped out or not. When you replaced you regulator, is the original style or the small electronic one? The originals were adjustable for voltage. I'd still trace out that harness off the back of your alternator and see if you have bad wiring.

Barry