ESnacky6
08-18-2004, 08:57 PM
1965 Buick Riviera, 425 engine, new Optima yellow-top battery,
good grounds on battery and engine....
I know electrical stuff is much easier to some than others (me),
but here are my current symptoms....
while driving, my volt-gauge needle will 'bounce' or 'tick'
from about 12 to 12.5 volts or so, but never over 13...
(this happens with or without the stereo on by the way)
at idle, it has a tendency to drop to 11.5 to 12 volts or so...
Now when it's hot out, it seems to do this more often,
whereas when I'm driving at night, it seems to behave better,
not bounce much at all, and have a more steady charge of
12 to 13 volts at highway speeds...(still seems low)
I haven't checked the actual output with a multi-tester yet,
but I'm thinking it has something to do with the internal regulator
on the alternator... maybe it's on it's way out and overheating..?
The effects of this problem is that my battery doesn't always
get charged enough to be able to start the car the next time....
(kinda sucks ass on short trips, like just around town...)
I'm also waiting on a new mini high-torque starter, and until I get it,
I know I am also battling the PIG of a stock starter I have now....
So, without knowing the actual alternator output,
and just based on the gauge needle bounce/gauge readngs
does it sound like the alternator is the culprit..?
Anything else I should try to check..??
I'm just wanting/hoping to get initial reactions and thoughts
from people with experience, and/or similar issues in the past...
I hate electrical problems..... hahaha
Thanks a lot..!!! -Snacks....
good grounds on battery and engine....
I know electrical stuff is much easier to some than others (me),
but here are my current symptoms....
while driving, my volt-gauge needle will 'bounce' or 'tick'
from about 12 to 12.5 volts or so, but never over 13...
(this happens with or without the stereo on by the way)
at idle, it has a tendency to drop to 11.5 to 12 volts or so...
Now when it's hot out, it seems to do this more often,
whereas when I'm driving at night, it seems to behave better,
not bounce much at all, and have a more steady charge of
12 to 13 volts at highway speeds...(still seems low)
I haven't checked the actual output with a multi-tester yet,
but I'm thinking it has something to do with the internal regulator
on the alternator... maybe it's on it's way out and overheating..?
The effects of this problem is that my battery doesn't always
get charged enough to be able to start the car the next time....
(kinda sucks ass on short trips, like just around town...)
I'm also waiting on a new mini high-torque starter, and until I get it,
I know I am also battling the PIG of a stock starter I have now....
So, without knowing the actual alternator output,
and just based on the gauge needle bounce/gauge readngs
does it sound like the alternator is the culprit..?
Anything else I should try to check..??
I'm just wanting/hoping to get initial reactions and thoughts
from people with experience, and/or similar issues in the past...
I hate electrical problems..... hahaha
Thanks a lot..!!! -Snacks....