Another Alternator Question

surfdog4 · 08-20-2007, 11:23 AM

The voltage gauge in the dashboard jumps up and down at a rapid rate..between maybe 10 and 16V..doesn't seem to be linked to any particular loading..i checked the voltage at the battery with my Multimeter and it is rock steady at 14.xxV.

With all the other electrical contact issues i've found on this car, i wouldn't be a bit surprised if the dash gauge has a problem, but i would think if the voltage coming out of the regulator was indeed changing that much I would see something at the battery terminal?

I haven't pulled the alternator yet to see exactly what i have (i know i have a stripped bolt on the upper hole) but i was hoping there might be a "quick and dirty" check on the alternator so i could order one if necessary and do a swap if need be. (I've seen some Bosch units with internal regulators listed)

Thanks

Alan in AZ · 08-20-2007, 01:48 PM

It sounds like you only have a problem on the dash voltmeter.

Test at the front jump post also (passenger side near the engine cross brace - unscrew the plastic nut - if you still have one). This is a little closer electrically to where the voltmeter is connected - I'm pretty sure it will be rock solid also though...

Probably you have a loose connection in the pod for the voltmeter.

Alan

surfdog4 · 08-21-2007, 10:30 AM

thanks...i got a couple of similar opinons on the 911 board as well..I'm going to probe around the hood and see if I get the same response..i also realized i was checking the battery voltage with a DMM so i'm going to pull out the ol' analog multimeter as well (I'm still not used to those darn digital things)