hi guys,
yes thats wats happening, the charge is oscilating between 13 and 18v. real fast and the more power i give the faster it goes, it got to the point where at night i can see the headlights oscilate too at the same speed, my camaro is a 87 used to be 2.8 crap mpfe. now 350 4bbl, minus 1 ton. of useless wiring, the alt is the same model as the original 87. delco.
1- is there another volt regulator on this particular year?(on the car itself where?)
2- my alternator doesnt seem to be the internal volt regulator type.
thanks to all.
fernando.

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third gen muscle power is the only thing that can match the power of flight...

 

Fernando,

Why do you think that you do not have an internal regulator? If, in fact you do not, the the following information will not be of much use to you.

I thought all third generation F-bodies had alternators with internal regulators.

If you voltage is indeed getting to 18 volts, that is way too high.

If you're using the voltmeter in the gauge cluster, I don't know how many volts that would actually be because that gauge is not that accurate. If you are sure that the voltage is getting that high (via an accurate voltmeter such as a DMM, etc.), then you've got a dangerous problem - dangerous in the sense that some electronic device(s) may be destroyed.

I personally would not run the car with anything over 15.2 or 15.3 volts. I have a digital voltmeter accurate to ±0.1 volts permanently wired in the car, so it's easy to monitor the voltage. Knowing the voltage is very important to me. I can determine, with a fair amount of acuraccy, the health of a battery or alternator by just the voltage.

Anyway, if the voltage is getting that high, I would suspect one of two problems. First I'd check that the voltage sense wire (a 12 gauge red wire connected to the rear of the alternator's case (not the output wire connected to a stud) from a molded plug that connects to the battery at the starter solenoid, at least on my '91 Camaro. Some models may or may not use a fusible link here.

First thing that I'd check is for +12 at this wire. Remove the plug and check. If the fusible link is open, then you would not see any voltage here and the alternator would not be sensing any battery voltage. The alternator would be saying "I do not see enough battery voltage therefore I must output more". Some better alternators will not output any voltage if it does not detect any voltage on the "voltage sense" terminal. This is to protect the electrical system in case this wire is removed from the battery. I don't know if your alternator has this function.

My second guess would be the voltage regulator (inside the alternator ?). When you separate the alternator cases, you should see the voltage regulator attached to the rear case in the middle, about 1" x 2". If I remember correctly, the external plug plugs directly into it as well as the two brushes.

If you see +12 at the voltage sense wire, perhaps you can have the alternator tested free. I don't know if this is common in Canada, but here in the U.S., it is a free service that is commonplace.

[This message has been edited by Stuart Moss (edited June 16, 2001).]

 

thanks stuart, if my memory is correct i remember that is some white thing with the brushes attached to it (and have to put a pin thru for assembly) i have another and i'll try it. thanks again bro.
fernando.

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third gen muscle power is the only thing that can match the power of flight...