With the engine running the gen light is about half bright but when I give it a little gas and take it to about 1200rpm from idle of 800rpm the little gen light slowly fades out. I read in the threads about it being either off or on but nothing about it fading in or out, what could this be ? The alternator is brand new and the battery seems to stay charged while it sits outside for a long time without running, but if I drive it around for a while the battery seems to get weaker when restarting like its not charging. I checked the wires to a schematic and they are hooked up correctly Im lost o No:
Put a voltmeter across the battery with the engine running. What is the voltage reading at idle and at 1500 RPM? Let's start there.
With Voltmeter across battery 12.4 volts with engine off 12.5 volts with engine at 800rpm (gen light slightly lights up) 12.5 volts with engine at 1500rpm (gen light off)
This evening I made a new extra grounding wire besides the main one, and I ran it from the intake manifold to the battery and the battery to the body. I also sanded everything before I installed it (its a split design made of 8 ga. wire) anyway I just wanted to let you guys know so you knew I had good grounds if that helps.
Alternator is not charging, the voltage reading should be 13.8-14.6 Volts with the engine running. Either you have a bad alternator, or bad regulator or both.
I visited a buddy at junk yard and he happened to have a new voltage regulator on the shelf and gave it to me for free :beer anyway I put it on and sure enogh that fixed it. Thanks for your help guys :TU:
