alternator on the fritz?

[88LTDCV351]

Hi,

I did a search but got a lot of junk.

Anywho, my voltmeter seemed lower than normal laterly. I usually get 14 volts but might drop down if I turn on the A/C or the lights. Lower if I have accessories plugged into the cigarette or power socket. But other than that it usually was consistantly at 14. But I didn't do anything about it since the car seemed fine.

But when I got my oil change at Wallyworld, they said my battery was low.

So I took the car to Autozone. They said the battery was bad and they couldn't test the alternator until I get a new battery.

So I ran to the dealership and got a new battery. But the voltmeter in the gauge pod still seems to drop to 13 even though I only have the brake lights applied while at a light. Lower if I also turn on the A/C and accessories.

So I took the car back to Autozone to test the alternator. They said the alternator is fine.

Is the alternator on the way out? I seem to recall that just applying the brakes my volts used to stay at 14. It used to take A/C or lights to drop down to 13 or below.

[Rockettman]

Do you have a "volt-meter" / "multi-meter"? (maybe borrow from a friend).

That is truely the proper way to test the voltage going back to the battery and test alternator output. The gauge is ok to look at when you're not trying to diagnose a problem.

Autozone says the alternator is "fine". Test for yourself ! It might be putting out "something"; then they'll just say its "fine". Also could be an inexperienced kid behind the counter. Test yourself first.

Keep us up to date on the findings.

[88LTDCV351]

Well, in the way to work today it seemed to be fine. I mean, it was overcast so the lights came on and I turned the radio on. Its an hour drive from where I live. The voltmeter showed at 13 consistently this time considering the radio and lights on. That seems more like normal to me from what I remember. Maybe the new battery was the solution after all and it needed a day to settle to normal?

[Panther]

Hi,

I did a search but got a lot of junk.

Anywho, my voltmeter seemed lower than normal laterly. I usually get 14 volts but might drop down if I turn on the A/C or the lights. Lower if I have accessories plugged into the cigarette or power socket. But other than that it usually was consistantly at 14. But I didn't do anything about it since the car seemed fine.

But when I got my oil change at Wallyworld, they said my battery was low.

So I took the car to Autozone. They said the battery was bad and they couldn't test the alternator until I get a new battery.

So I ran to the dealership and got a new battery. But the voltmeter in the gauge pod still seems to drop to 13 even though I only have the brake lights applied while at a light. Lower if I also turn on the A/C and accessories.

So I took the car back to Autozone to test the alternator. They said the alternator is fine.

Is the alternator on the way out? I seem to recall that just applying the brakes my volts used to stay at 14. It used to take A/C or lights to drop down to 13 or below.

3 weeks ago I had the same prob. I also went to autozone they also told me everything was good. Car has been parked for about 2 weeks I am going to turn her on today to see how she is doing. The only thing I did right before my volt meter light came on was take my tune out and put it back to stock not sure if that had anything todo with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Panther

[88LTDCV351]

I don't have a multi meter.

I was thinking about just taking my DB Electrical 250 amp that has been in my closet to a local shop here that I think might do it. Its not just plug and play since there is this gauge wire/fuse thing that I understand they have to do to put it in. So the usual Big O places won't touch it.

[tbone]

My alternator was fine, but 135k old. I found a new one for $90 on Rock Auto and replaced it. Peace of mind is worth $90. However, the cheapest one there now is $125.

[88LTDCV351]

Mine is at 137,000 miles. Unfortunately, replacement alternators never seem to last as long as the original from my experience. For instance, my Crown Vic 100 amp was original until I replaced it back in 2005 or something. Since then, have replaced it several times. Although those are reman of course from places like Autozone.