bad alternator????

[skipztt]

well since i have been driving my ty, i have noticed that the volt guage on the dash ever so slightly moved a little bit (up and down). now lately it have been moving alot more then normal and when i have my headlights and dash lights, they will even dim and get brighter also. like its pulsing.

now i have noticed when im driving it still does it. but when i come to a stop, sometimes it quits and is fine. :roll:

but yesterday it was really bad and i didnt want to take it out and it leave me stranded..lol.

the volt gauge on the dash was really low and even the headlights were really dim. i took it down the road and when i would come to a stop every thing would dim and the "check gauges" light on the dash would flicker (the pulsing thing again) on and off.

anyone have an experience like this?? is my alt going bad???i havent done any testing yet but im about to later today

 

[Don W.]

Re: bad alternator????

3 possibilities come to mind. Bad connection at the alt or somewhere else. Alt itself is toast. (Likely, based on your description.) Bat is going away. Kragen etc will usually check both for free.

 

[skipztt]

Re: bad alternator????

pretty much stock truck, no bettery relocate. i replaced the lower intake gaskets and painted everything up real nice. i did see a ground on the drivers side head. it is connect to the firewall. is there any other grounds on the motor???

 

[Don W.]

Re: bad alternator????

Bat gnd pas cyl head rear. Couple of grnd wires tied together that go on the front manifold studded bolt drivers side. As mentioned does it seem related to something you just did or is it happening on its own. If it's just happeneing on its own pull the alt and have it tested.

 

[skipztt]

Re: bad alternator????

well i have only been driving it for a few weeks now. but it has been getting worse and worse lately

i guess ill have to take the alt off and test it. cant i testit on the truck also?? volt meter on the pole on the back????

 

[Don W.]

Re: bad alternator????

Yes but that's an incomplete test. You need to put a load on the alt. You can simulate partial load by turning on everything in the truck. Just a thought but check the input wire to the regulator. There's 2 wires, one will be dead and one should show 12v with key on (or bat voltage if bat is low). If not then your problem may be in that wire.

 

[skipztt]

Re: bad alternator????

well i logged onto autozones website to compare the alt off my 92 s-10 and the ty's. well as i figured they are the same, so i took a chance and took the alternator off the s-10 (i know its a good one) and put it on the ty.

well im back in business!! woo! that solved it

thanks Don!