Alternator problem?

[1bad914]

Been driving the car for a week or so, seemed fine until Monday night I looked down and saw that the alt light was on and the voltage gauge read 12 volts or so. It has stayed this way thru today, I checked the fuses, they seemed okay, I checked the voltage at the battery with it running, 12.29 or so, it usually ran close to 14 before. Before I tear the alternator out, anybody have any advice.

Randy

[nyum96]

Same problem. Out of the blue, the red light went on. It seemed to go on around 3,000 RPMS at night and through shifting. Since the alternator seemed to be original or a vw-porsche part, I swapted it out and rebuilt the original. Took only 45 minutes and replaced the "red" original wire. Enjoy the caked on greese! Needless to say, no more red light but also check your wiring.

[Griznant]

Hey Randy, you already know what I did with mine.







83amps of easily found one-wire Delco-Remy juice!

Did I mention that even when I turn on the high-beams, the blower fan, and the stereo that the voltmeter never even moves? A solid 14v always.

Oh, and the thing still hasn't gotten any warmer than the rest of the engine and it works absolutely fantastic.

Later,

G

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Check the fuses, first. They can be bad but still look fine at first glance...

It would kinda suck to replace the alternator and not have the problem fixed. So you might want to verify that the alternator itself is the problem.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_alternator_troubleshoot/914_alternator_troubleshoot.htm

--DD

[Kenny Powell]

Another tip: replace the alternator and voltage regulator together.......and toss the mechanical regulator and upgrade to a electronic regulator, I am really happy with the results! my 2 bits:

[1bad914]

The fan belt had been thrown! Hmmmm kind od makes you wonder why. It probably loosened.

Which Delco alternator? Which electronic regulator? Thanks in advance.

[Alfred1]

Griznant, what did you have to do to make the Delco alternator fit? What is its part number?

Slowlane, some people use the WELLS V/R that you can buy from autozone.com WELLS VR650 $19.99.

Alfred

Thank you, Alfred. These things always seem to go out at a least convenient time, and it's handy to have info like this on the pad in the glovebox.

[Griznant]

Originally posted by Alfred1
Griznant, what did you have to do to make the Delco alternator fit? What is its part number?

Alfred

I don't have the P/N handy but here's what I did:

I went to the parts store and asked for a one-wire Delco alternator. They gave me a variety of options ranging in amperage. I chose the smallest one (rated at 62amps) and it came with a printout showing an as tested 83amps. This is used as a replacement for heavy equipment (dozers, tractors, etc.) when they convert from a generator. It's internally regulated, so you need to take the regulator out of the circuit (connect the two fat red wires together). Connect the fat red wire, that used to go to the alternator, to the starter + side, and then put the new wire from the alternator to the same post.

Check out this post I made to the Shoptalk forums when I first did it. If you have questions beyond this, feel free to ask.

http://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=47161

So far it works fantastically and I know that if it ever breaks down any local parts store will have it. I did NO modifications to the alternator itself so a fresh one would now be a straight bolt in.

Essentially you need to modify the cooling tin that goes around the alternator to allow clearance for the little fan, and make a small spacer so the tension adjusting bolt will still fit. Other than that, it bolts up. I did find that I had to flip the lower mounting bracket (the one on the fan shroud) around 180 degrees to keep the alignment proper.

I was sad because I didn't get to use my welder to fit it in.

Later,

G

Sweet! Thanks.

[Alfred1]

Thank you for the information, Griznant. Sorry for the belated reply but I didn't see your response until now.

Alfred

[91420L]

Which electronic regulator should be able to fit? Sorry... damn question may be...