version13

I recently installed an FD alternator on my FC. It was all working great, volt meter reading high, brighter headlights, etc.

Now, it seems that there is too much power. My CD player only works (speakers) below 1500 RPM, so only in idle will it play. The volt meter is up above 16 (top of the gauge)

When I turn on my headlights, it usually works fine. The volt meter lowers a bit.

What is the problem? How can it be fixed?

86GXL

How many amps is the FD alt pushing? you dont need more than 80 or 90 max. Upgrade your wiring under the hood. Bigger better Ground and bigger main wire. that'll help

den

i had the exact same problem with my fc alt, turned out the internal voltage regulator was gone. i swapped alts and had no more problems. i would get the fd alt bench tested. did you have this problem before you switched alts ?

Icemark

Do not drive the car until the alt is fixed. 16 volts is the max limit for almost all the electronics in the car. You will start burning things out running for too long at that voltage.

The FD alt is either wired wrong or the internal regulator has failed.

ddub

thats really weird, i never had that problem in mine the volt meter sits around 14.5-15 most the time

Scott 89t2

good chance you hooked those 2 little wires wrong.... either that or the alt is bad

MAX-IMAL

Basically when the voltage regulator is gone, your voltage will drop below 12 at least that's what happen in my case, check your connection to the alternator as stated above.

Icemark

15 is also a little high.

14.5 is the ideal

version13

I just guessed which of the two little wires attached to the car. Ill probably just awitch those. 50/50 chance... and I failed.

ddub

hmm really, 15 is the highest it will ever get, not always at that pooint usually in the mid 14's

Scott 89t2

ummm ya that would do it

hopefully you didn't just fry everything in the car.

Icemark

Most of the voltage variable parts in the ECU are spec'ed at 15 volts max, so I don't know how much you want to be running at the very very very top of the limits. Things like capacitors, just go out of tolerance at 15 volts but other things can burn up at 15.1 volts

All the dash bulbs in the car are 14 volt bulbs as well...

86GXL

Mine never goes above 13v You guys are lucky

Icemark

Then you probably are not charging your battery very well, since it needs 13.5 volts just to charge.

86GXL

The battery has 14 volts... but it cant get that much into the car cuz the main power wire is corroded... Thats gonna suck to replace...

ddub

if that was true would that mean my bulbs would burn out if it goes over 14 volts? ive had no problem with my dash light bulbs, maybe im reading the volt meter wrong or something

Icemark

Nah, bulbs typically take about 125% of their rating before they overheat

MAX-IMAL

I always get 14.5 and 12.5 to 13 with everything on, oh its an FD alt btw.

ddub

ive been looking at it more closely lately since this post, and it seems to be consistently 14 or a tiny bit above, with 14.5 being the max it hits, i was just being careless when looking at it i guess