Besides checking charging voltage under load at a fast idle (should be
13.8 to 14.2 Volts at 1500 + RPM) check the A/C ripple.
If present this indicates failing or failed diodes.
To do so set your DVOM to read A/C on a low range (1 volt or so) and
check under the same loaded conditions as above with loads on.
This will measure the A/C component (ripple) on to top of the D/C if
present.
Anything more than 250mV (.25V) is probably too much.
Also, FWIW I've found replacing the older externally regulated
alternators (AL16X) with the later internally regulated ones solves a
lot of these problems.
If the glowing charging lamp persists, you need to start measuring
voltage drops. I'd start at the ignition switch.
Any voltage drop between the lamp, battery, and alternator will cause
the lamp to glow.
Jeff
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 11, 2009, at 10:48 AM, "JON KLIGERMAN" <[email protected]> wrote:
A general question about the alternator warning, or 'idiot,' light
in my '82
Spider. | really have not paid very much attention to it, but I
have noticed
lately that it will glow, at night, if both the headlights and the
windshield
wipers are on. It will glow much brighter, close to full
brightness, if in
addition to the headlights and wipers, I then turn on the heater
blower. Is
this normal? Am I looking at a weak alternator and/or voltage
regulator?
Does anybody know? Is there a way of testing things, I do have a VOM?
Thanks!
Jon Kligerman
1982 Spider Veloce
--
to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
--
to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
