volt meter fluctuations
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Louisville KY
volt meter fluctuations
i just noticed today, a cold day/morning/night taht when driving my van 1995 Aerostar shorty with 3.0L engine 95,000 miles.
when i had the headlights, heater, and rear defrost all on at the same time, the volt meter would fluctuate between the middle of the normal range, and the lower part of the normal range, never getting out of the normal range, is this normal? this is the first time its been cold since ive owned the van and by cold i say low 50's down to 30s. oh and this would only happen at idle, once i got the RPMs up it would be completely normal and not move at all.
Please tell me this is normal so i can quit worrying about it, because i dont have the money to fix it riht now. THanks
when i had the headlights, heater, and rear defrost all on at the same time, the volt meter would fluctuate between the middle of the normal range, and the lower part of the normal range, never getting out of the normal range, is this normal? this is the first time its been cold since ive owned the van and by cold i say low 50's down to 30s. oh and this would only happen at idle, once i got the RPMs up it would be completely normal and not move at all.
Please tell me this is normal so i can quit worrying about it, because i dont have the money to fix it riht now. THanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
Aero=small alternator, only 95 amp, small battery, small gauge main power wiring
with all the accessories on, many rigs will do the same thing....volt/amp gauge drops down in range, headlights dim, fan slows as rpm drops and alternator output drops down
what's the condition of the battery...it's your electrical current reservior...how old? check, clean and make sure battery connections are tight
with all the accessories on, many rigs will do the same thing....volt/amp gauge drops down in range, headlights dim, fan slows as rpm drops and alternator output drops down
what's the condition of the battery...it's your electrical current reservior...how old? check, clean and make sure battery connections are tight
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Senior User
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From: Louisville KY
battery looks decently new, its got the plastic cover over it, i just bought the van last spring so i dont really know. but what your sayin is that for this van considering the small ALT, that these things are normal?
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by nick11082001
Please tell me this is normal so i can quit worrying about it, because i dont have the money to fix it riht now. THanks
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
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From: Southern California
The brushes are two pieces of graphite in a holder on the back of the alternator. Most of the times, it's just these brushes that wore out and there is nothing wrong with the alternator.
To replace the brushes, just remove the alternator and look in the back. The new brushes come inside a holder, so you just remove two little screws, pull the entire old assembly out, put the new one in and you are done.
The hafl hour is mostly for removing the alternator from the van and putting it back on.
Here is the link for the brush itself. Do a search for part number FF98C
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...or+Brush+Parts
To replace the brushes, just remove the alternator and look in the back. The new brushes come inside a holder, so you just remove two little screws, pull the entire old assembly out, put the new one in and you are done.
The hafl hour is mostly for removing the alternator from the van and putting it back on.
Here is the link for the brush itself. Do a search for part number FF98C
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...or+Brush+Parts
Last edited by copper_90680; Oct 13, 2006 at 11:07 PM.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: Louisville KY
not saying you didnt read it all, but the gauge only moves around when all accessories are on at once, and while the engine is at idle, never moves out of normal range, and it goes back to the center of the normal range once RPMs are increased.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by nick11082001
not saying you didnt read it all, but the gauge only moves around when all accessories are on at once, and while the engine is at idle, never moves out of normal range, and it goes back to the center of the normal range once RPMs are increased.
If it does that only when everything is on, and if it does go back into normal range when you step on the gas, you should be OK. Keep an eye on the battery though.
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Postmaster
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Originally Posted by nick11082001
Please tell me this is normal so i can quit worrying about it, because i dont have the money to fix it riht now. THanks
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Louisville KY
thanks for all the help, it seems to be jsut fine now, and for the couple years ive lived in Kentucky, it doesnt seem to get TOOO cold here in the winter, so compared to where i used to live, Northern Indiana, my vehicles are now getting a break from really HARSH winter weather.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,062
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From: Central Oregon
My 90 did this also, the insulation on the ground wire was flaking off, being that it was the ground I did not think to much about it. But sense it is my wifes car she had me replace the ground cable and the amp gage is steadly.