An electronic diagnostic check of my charging system showed an very weak
battery and a bad diode in the alternator. The 11 year old battery was
replaced two weeks ago and sat on a battery tender until yesterday. A
rebuilt alternator was installed yesterday--by me. Unplug the old and
plug in the new. The car fired immediately with a fresh battery and the
voltmeter showed the system charging at 13 volts. However, my multimeter
showed the battery at 12 .6 volts regardless of engine speed. I loaded
up the system with headlights and fan and could not see any difference
in the rate of charge. 12.6 volts flat--regardless of engine speed.
Drove it a few miles and checked the battery again and it was showing
12.3 volts. While running I pulled off the positive lead from the
battery and the engine died immediately. So the engine was running off
the battery--not the alternator. Of course, I suspect a duff
alternator. Freshly rebuilt and sold by one of the 'big 3.' I
disconnected the plug from the alternator and with the engine running
tried to get a reading to see if the alternator was putting out
anything--but all I got was a rapidly changing reading on my
meter--really rapid--some sort of jibberish. So, short of taking the
alternator to a speialty shop to have it tested what can I do to
determine is there is output from my 2 day old unit? If yes--than I
must have a problem somewhere between the wiring plug to the alternator
and the battery--yes?
Bill Wellbaum
Las Vegas
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