bad alternator

[turbo buicks]

when i compared my cars voltage output to Steve's @ SMC his car put out a constant 13.9-14.0 volts at idle. mine read from 12.3-12.9 on the SM always. far as i know i still got the original alternator. my TPS never wants to read the correct voltage. we got it set at .54 at idle to get 4.40 at WOT. would low alt voltage affect this? how much does a new alt. usually cost?

 

[Two Lane]

New, or rebuilt?

TB...what's great is if there's an alternator/starter rebuilder near you...our area has 2 nearby. You can hand the fellow yours to rebuild, & get the very same one back, cleaned, painted, & rebuilt (with "extra" juice, if desired).
_______________________________________________

Another current route is the 200amp upgrade from mike@jigawatt.com aka Orlando87GN at www.turbobuicks.com.
I've seen the unit first-hand. It even comes with a performance print-out of its output thru the rpm range. Very nice. (approx. 200.00)

Or, he also sells the 200amp rebuild kit for you to do it on your own for less than half that.

HTH

 

[Nick Micale]

First of all, a Scanmaster is not a good way to gauge alt. output. The ECM can be from one-half to one volt less than actual.

How did Steve measure his? Battery condition can also affect output. Have your alt. checked by a reliable person and machine to determine how it is actually doing. I know of lots of original alts still working right.

 

[turbo buicks]

TL, as far as i know the alt is original but i got the car with 100K+ miles on it but the alt looks old and original. thanks for the rebuilding tips. if its bad, the 200 watt upgrade sounds nice.

nick, i called and he said he measured voltage at the SM. my autometer gauge shows right under 13 volts so i think the SM may be right. he turned the car on and looked at the SM to measure his voltage. the battery is also the one that came with the car when i bought it so that may be a source of trouble, ill check that also.

thanks for the help

 

[salvageV6]

The voltage being 12.8 has nothing to do with your TPS problem as it uses a buffered 5 volt signal. Most likely that circuit is fine and just needs to be tweaked to .45 volts or less car running at idle and over 4.3 or so WOT car NOT running foot to the floor.

Battery condition and load will determine the voltage on your gauge. Alternator may be perfectly fine.

 

[Red Regal T]

JUST DON'T BUY A NEW ALTERNATOR WITHOUT TALKING TO ME.

 

[turbo buicks]

no prob john. ill check the battery before i go getting a new alt first.