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Re: should I swap the alternator Posted by Gary Stottler [Email] (#1463) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Gary Stottler) on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 05:58:30 In Reply to: should I swap the alternator, James Dale [Profile/Gallery] , Wed, 13 Oct 2010 21:38:01 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
James,
Sorry I am seeing your post so late, sounds like a frustrating problem!
I think the point about the alternator warning light being an important part of the circuit that controls the alternator is correct. I don't know exactly how the circuit works, but I believe that a certain amount of current has to flow through the bulb to "excite" the alternator and get it to start working. Do you have the wiring diagram for the car? If so, maybe you can see that circuit and make sure it has 12V coming to the alternator when the key is on but the engine is off. The light should be on in that case.
Also, you should check the voltage of the entire system with a volt meter when you start the engine - you should see 12.5-14.4 Volts or so across the 2 battery terminals if the alternator is working. I would think the engine would run OK down to 8 or 9 volts, but below that you may start to lose fuel pressure (which you can check with the pressure guage, but you've heard that speech before...) :-)
Good Luck!
Gary
posted by 198.208.25...
_______________________________________ Gary Stottler
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