madmax Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Well my altimeter bounces, all lights flash. the whole electrical system is effected. The gauge only moves about a .5 volts at a time. I don't think is a spark issue as it doesn't seem to change with rpm. I've checked belt and connections and it's a 4 or 5 month old alt. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Am I the only one confused by this explanation? What does an altimeter (used for measuring altitude) have to do with an alternator? Voltmeter maybe what you meant? All lights flash when? If your alternator is not charging, your whole electrical system will be effected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 The lights flash when they are on. I only metioned the lights to help explain whats goin on. The voltage meter bounces all the time. The alternator IS charging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonianwalk Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Bad bearing maybe? Try loosening the belt and put your hand on the alternators pulley. If it wobbles you have a bad bearing. It would be hard to detect with a tight belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) Ammeter maybe? Although, if you had an altimeter, and your electrical system was pulsing, it would probably bounce around too. If it's not tied to RPM, then I don't see how your alternator would cause it. Check the voltage regulator? Is it a steady flash, or a flicker? Edited July 5, 2011 by Slartibartfast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarehouseRat Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 put a load test on the alternator and volt meter ie a "Fluke" if it doesnt change ie voltage go up after a short dip then the regulator is bad and you will need to replace the alt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Where'd you get the alty from and does it have a warranty? I'd get it tested as I'm guessing you got one that didn't exactly hold togher too well (new parts fail all the time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Thanks everyone. Bad bearing. This is the fourth one on this warranty at orileys. This was the first one the regulator didn't go out on. Get a new one tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Yay free replacement, boo for poorly made parts. That is the good point to buying new stuff though, warranties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonianwalk Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Thanks everyone. Bad bearing. This is the fourth one on this warranty at orileys. This was the first one the regulator didn't go out on. Get a new one tomorrow. I had your exact same problems fifteen years ago with a van that I used to own. Except I only had to install them three times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 and as I think of it, you try turnign in a labor claim to get reimbursed for having to keep swapping it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 No, it doesn't even take an hour to swap them out and the guys down there are always willing to help me out. It's just not worth the trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Ain't worth it then if the place gives you actual help. (and yea, wd21s are a cake swap, but sometimes it's not the time it takes. It's the principal) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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