Alternator death symptoms?

[Windsor58]

Just recently, I've noticed a couple of odd things. One is when I jump on it at night, the headlights seem to dim for a second or so. The other is also at night - the interior gauge lighting intensity varies at idle, even though the voltmeter is rock solid (for both symptoms).
That battery is good. No check engine light.

Does this sound like the first symptoms of a dying alternator? Or maybe a voltage regulator?

The only thing I can think of that might be associated info for the first symptom is that the car has twin GT pumps (its S/Ced). Maybe when I jump on it, the sudden draw for the pumps draws down the available voltage.

Anyway, any ideas or trouble shooting suggestions would be appreciated.

(early) MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[RR|Suki]

Just recently, I've noticed a couple of odd things. One is when I jump on it at night, the headlights seem to dim for a second or so. The other is also at night - the interior gauge lighting intensity varies at idle, even though the voltmeter is rock solid (for both symptoms).
That battery is good. No check engine light.

Does this sound like the first symptoms of a dying alternator? Or maybe a voltage regulator?

The only thing I can think of that might be associated info for the first symptom is that the car has twin GT pumps (its S/Ced). Maybe when I jump on it, the sudden draw for the pumps draws down the available voltage.

Anyway, any ideas or trouble shooting suggestions would be appreciated.

(early) MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Alt. shuts off at WOT, for the funny interior lights if you move the dimmer control up and down quickly you'll notice they'll stop "flickering"... at least mine do, I contribute it to build up on the metal inside the switch. Hopefully it solves your issue too

[Windsor58]

Hey, thanks. I didn't know that about WOT. Makes sense, now. I had the heater blower running full, the stereo cranked, so I had a good load on it for it to just be using the battery.
I'll try the control to see if that fixes the flicker.
Thanks!

[ctrlraven]

Yeah in a tune it will turn off the alternator for a brieft short time while your going WOT to pick up a super small amount of power and the lights will dim. If your ever unsure about the alternator just have a F/L/M dealer check it out.

When I first got my car my volt gauge read between 12-13 all the time. Took it back a week later and they said the alternator was putting out a low charge and they replaced it. Mine usually reads 13.8-14.2 depending on the temp outside.

[Windsor58]

Ok, when I started this particular thread, all I had were the normal WOT voltage drop (and associated headlight dim) and the pulsing interior lights. RR|Sukis suggestion fixed the flicker. I was happy for a while.

Now I have something new going on. While driving at night, usually after about 30 minutes of driving, it acts like the WOT alt cut off is happening. Only not at WOT. it happens while cruising at steady (or nearly steady) throttle position (like at 50-65 mph steady speed). Voltage does drop about 3 volts, headlights and interior lights dim (a lot - but have lots of draw - heater, stereo, lights, fogs, elec water pump, etc). usually only lasts a few seconds, then goes back up and is steady. A few times while this has happened, I tried goosing it a little to see if increasing rpm (from around 2k) would affect it. when I did this, it seemed to lack power - didn't surge like normal, but did accell some.

Any ideas?

PS I may not be back online for a few days but would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

[O's Fan Rich]

Whenever there is any thing like this, or a charging issue or low voltage, the very first thing I do is remove my battery terminals and clean everything up real good and put it back together. Over the years it has proven to be a good first move.

[TiTo35]

^^^+1^^^

...

[Windsor58]

Battery terminals are clean and shiny.

It has gotten worse and I am pretty sure I'm gonna need a new alternator. Voltage drops became much more frequent, and yesterday the red battery idiot light started intermittantly coming on. Got home and popped the hood. Alternator is growling...
Can't complain, though. This is the first real problem I've had.