2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Alternator not charging on warm start....

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Old Nov 7, 2007 | 05:07 PM
  #1  
chwkrx7's Avatar
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From: BC
Alternator not charging on warm start....

OK, i have a bit of a problem with my charging system.

My alternator went out on me in june, i bought a reman, and put it in. all worked good for about a week, and then my alternator wouldn't charge when i started it up and the car was warm. i would have to rev it to ~4000 rpm, and then the voltage would go from 11 or 12 to 14. it was always fine on a stone cold start.

so i've been doing that for the last 4 months, revving it a few secons after startup. however, lately this has not been working, and i don't know what to do now... maybe put another alternator in? can't find anywhere here that sells new ones, they're all rebuilt...

i have checked voltage with the multimter, 12.4 V with the car off.... 13.1-13.8 V across the battery terminals on a cold start, 12.1 V on a warm start (not charging). voltage from the alt + to the battery - is 15 V when charging, 12.2 V when not
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Old Nov 7, 2007 | 06:08 PM
  #2  
Delphince's Avatar
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From: Corvallis, OR
Just sounds like the regulator went bad. Once the alternator warms up it stops working right. Any time the charging system is working, but not working like it should, that's usually the problem. I had one go out on me in such a way that the alternator got superhot and charged in direct proportion to how fast it was spinning; anything over 3000 rpm and it was cranking out 18+ volts. Talk about lethal.

If you can't find a new one, bite the bullet and go remanned again, it doesn't sound like you have a lot of other choices other than buying online.
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Old Nov 7, 2007 | 08:16 PM
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HAILERS's Avatar
HAILERS
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From: FORT WORTH, TEXAS,USA
I know, on a series four, if the alternators small plug falls off, the alternator won't charge unless the engine is rev'd up a couple of grand. I believe this is because you don't have the excitation voltage, that comes from that small plug (sorta).

So. Make suire the small plug is on. Make sure the BLACK/WHITE wire has batt voltage with the key to ON and the WHITE/black wire has approx 3vdc on it with the key to ON. Engine NOT running. Did I mention ENGINE NOT RUNNING???

That's series four alternators. NOT series five.
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Old Nov 7, 2007 | 09:16 PM
  #4  
311unity13B's Avatar
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From: Atlanta
Originally Posted by Delphince
Just sounds like the regulator went bad. Once the alternator warms up it stops working right. Any time the charging system is working, but not working like it should, that's usually the problem. I had one go out on me in such a way that the alternator got superhot and charged in direct proportion to how fast it was spinning; anything over 3000 rpm and it was cranking out 18+ volts. Talk about lethal.

If you can't find a new one, bite the bullet and go remanned again, it doesn't sound like you have a lot of other choices other than buying online.
got a lifetime warranty on from autozone, claimed warranty twice on it
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