Hi guys, as driving home I encountered a odd and disappointing problem. At random times my altenator gauge would shift over to near max output, my rpms would begin to surge, check engine light would flash in and out, and my shifting(auto) would no longer work properly. This would happen for a minute or two then disappere and come back. I also noticed the radio blip out at one point before I killed it.

Any ideas on what this could be? My initial thoughts are altenator/voltage regulator, but i'm not sure why that would effect rpm's or even cause radio to turn off but not a fuse to blow. The check engine light only blinks in and out when this is happening, and otherwise stays off.

Thanks!

 

Have it checked (alternator), the one in my pickup did that not too long ago and it killed the battery.

 

Is there a easy way to check it with a voltmeter (Like less than 14 volts is not enough output but 16 or more, is too much) or would I be better off just taking to a parts house and having them hook up a machine to it?

 

You can try a meter, but if it reads normal you will have to go to the parts store or use a tester that can put a load on it.

 

check all of your grounds, and looks for broken wire insulation that might be grounding off on anything. if all is ok...

then have your alternator tested. it takes 15 minutes to pull off. might as well.

if all is ok there, i would start looking at a bad ECM.

 

Sounds like the regulator is shot. The voltage on the better should never go past 14.7V. If your handy with a volt meter, check it. Going past this voltage can fry your electronics and toast your battery!

 

Sounds exactly like what mine was doing for the last couple of weeks before the alternator's regulator finally died (except for the engine light and shifting problems). I found out that the stud on the back for the battery connection was internally loose, which can cause the regulator to do lots of strange stuff. This was a rebuilt, high output alternator that is now in for warranty repair.

 

Yeah this looks to have been the issue, I replaced the alternator yesterday and haven't seen the problem again.

 

Cool