Is there something I can do to get more out of my Alternator?
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Is there something I can do to get more out of my Alternator?
I've had it recently rebuilt and also had a different one entirely and they both do the same thing. They are not putting out enough at idle or low RPM. With A/C, fog lights, headlights on, the volts drop to just above 10. With the A/C off it really doesn't make much difference. The turn signal struggles between flashes. Once I get up to highway speed or just hold the RPM up around 2500 then it's fine. I'd like to think the system can manage the load when everything is on.
#3
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,689
Received 745 Likes
on
505 Posts
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Is there something I can do to get more out of my Alternator?
Is this a dash gauge voltage reading or a voltmeter reading at the atl or battery?
Stock crank, alt and not under drive pulleys? (I use ford fox mustang alt pulleys because some are much smaller). All Grounds and output cable connections clean and tight?
Sounds like a true ALT output problem but if running and you have 14 volts at the battery and lower voltage showing on the factory gauge, pull the cluster out, remove and clean all the contact points on the printed circuit.
Cleaning those really changed the dash gauge reading on one of my cars that was having issues.
Stock crank, alt and not under drive pulleys? (I use ford fox mustang alt pulleys because some are much smaller). All Grounds and output cable connections clean and tight?
Sounds like a true ALT output problem but if running and you have 14 volts at the battery and lower voltage showing on the factory gauge, pull the cluster out, remove and clean all the contact points on the printed circuit.
Cleaning those really changed the dash gauge reading on one of my cars that was having issues.
#4
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Is there something I can do to get more out of my Alternator?
Is this a dash gauge voltage reading or a voltmeter reading at the atl or battery?
Stock crank, alt and not under drive pulleys? (I use ford fox mustang alt pulleys because some are much smaller). All Grounds and output cable connections clean and tight?
Sounds like a true ALT output problem but if running and you have 14 volts at the battery and lower voltage showing on the factory gauge, pull the cluster out, remove and clean all the contact points on the printed circuit.
Cleaning those really changed the dash gauge reading on one of my cars that was having issues.
Stock crank, alt and not under drive pulleys? (I use ford fox mustang alt pulleys because some are much smaller). All Grounds and output cable connections clean and tight?
Sounds like a true ALT output problem but if running and you have 14 volts at the battery and lower voltage showing on the factory gauge, pull the cluster out, remove and clean all the contact points on the printed circuit.
Cleaning those really changed the dash gauge reading on one of my cars that was having issues.
#5
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 1,149
Received 83 Likes
on
67 Posts
Car: 1989 Pontiac Formula 350
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 3.27 Posi
Re: Is there something I can do to get more out of my Alternator?
Your alt should be able to be just fine at idle, so I'd start by cleaning every ground connection you can find.
#7
Supreme Member
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
Re: Is there something I can do to get more out of my Alternator?
try doing a voltage drop test. theres many videos on youtube, etc.
i added a 2nd, 10 gauge wire from my alternator to battery and it helped my alternator issues. not saying its your problem.
but a voltage drop test will help isolate your problem. could be a simple bad ground, etc.
i added a 2nd, 10 gauge wire from my alternator to battery and it helped my alternator issues. not saying its your problem.
but a voltage drop test will help isolate your problem. could be a simple bad ground, etc.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post