RE: [DML] Alternator problems

["John Hervey" <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave, 3 things,
#1.Make sure the belt isn't glazed over and slipping. Since it comes up to
13.9 after revving and holds there that could be a possibility.
#2. Unplug the regulator plug and re stab it a time or 2. Put some
electrical grease on it also.
#3 If the above doesn't work then the light circuit in the regulator is
blown. That doesn't mean it won't charge.
John Hervey
www.specialtauto.com
Home of the Delorean Parts
and Delorean alternators backed 24/7.





-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Swingle [mailto:swingle@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Saturday, September 04, 2004 7:09 PM
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [DML] Alternator problems


Rich and I were working on an alternator issue today that I've never
run into. I know how to look for the usual stuff, but this one has me
stumped.

Start car - alternator light stays on, charging system at 12.1 volts
(DVM, not the dash gauge. Dash gauge looks to be about 9 volts).

Rev Engine - charging system jumps to 13.9 volts, light stays on.

Let it idle back down, stays at 13.9, light stays on. (Dash just
above the 13).

Things we tried - remove light bulb - acts exactly the same (but with
no light - duh). Checked wire (brown w/yellow trace) from alternator
to idiot light with both ends disconnected - no shorts to ground,
overall resistance of the wire less than an ohm. Cleaned up bulkhead-
to-frame ground, bypassed engine-to-frame ground, check all
connections at instrument cluster. Checked connections at alternator
(all those stupid brown wires). Tried another battery. Keep in mind
that the car starts and runs fine, which rules out most of the
grounding issues since the starter ground and alternator ground are
essentially the same path.

I'm suspecting that the regulator in the alternator is bad, but we
tried three different used OEM Motorola alternators (all of
admittedly suspect quality). Unfortunately I'm not sure the other two
worked the same - we didn't try reving the engine with those. In all
the cases the idiot light was on brightly.

Next step is to replace the alternator with a new one, but did I miss
anything?

Dave S





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