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07-08-2003, 04:31 AM
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#1 |
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Live from Atlanta
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 511
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Electrical Question?
Ok, here's the story... While driving into work this morning my amp guage suddenly spikes from @14 all the way into the red to the 18. It did this once or twice real quick. Then about 5 minutes later, it spiked for about 10 seconds. It did this with my a/c on full, bright lights on, radio on, etc. Everything got brighter and my a/c fan started blowing harder!
What causes electrical spikes like this? Is my alternator going bad?  
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Paul |
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07-08-2003, 11:51 AM
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#2 |
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Live from Atlanta
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 511
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TTT
anyone ever experience this?
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Paul |
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07-08-2003, 12:27 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Liège , Belgium
Posts: 263
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I have ni idea if the voltage regulation happens inside the alternator or in a separate box.
What I remember from school ( a looong while ago...) is that a over voltage is very dangerous to the electric devices , you could kill your battery... So , fix it ASAP The Baron ____________________________________________________ 1979 C10 long bed , 350ci Olds engine , stock 1977 Chevy Impala Sedan , straight six 250ci , "Ye Old Reliable" 1960 Girl Friend , frame still good , body has some dents |
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07-08-2003, 12:30 PM
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#4 |
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Live from Atlanta
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 511
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Thanks. I am concerned about the dangers of a spike because I still need to drive it 20 or so miles home from work. I guess if I see it spike, the only thing I can do is turn it off.
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Paul |
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07-08-2003, 12:33 PM
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You get what you pay for
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 4,798
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I'm no electrical guru for sure, but if I were guessing, I'd say the internal voltage regulator may be going bad. I would pull the alternator and have it tested. But, unless it spikes while testing, it may not show up.
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Mike 1985 Chevy C-10 |
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07-08-2003, 03:33 PM
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"The dude abides"
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 472
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Definitely sounds like the regulator. Spikes are bad. Electronics do not like em. Hence why computers want surge protectors on them.
If you feel comfortable tearing an alt. apart, you can buy the regulator for it and replace it yourself. It's not that hard. Trickiest part is getting the bushings in their holder and sticking a pin in there to hold them.
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RockMan 1993 Chevy Silverado C3500 1 ton dually 1994 Honda Civic 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 1953 IH Farmall Super M New to the fleet: 1992 Subaru Loyal |
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07-08-2003, 04:53 PM
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LED King
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 2,088
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Alternators produce AC but have converters to change to DC, so when they go bad evil things happen to your electrical system. Replace your alternator or regulator!
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Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32 |
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07-09-2003, 09:00 AM
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#8 |
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Live from Atlanta
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 511
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Well, I made it home yesterday and it spiked off and on all the way. The last two miles, it pegged at 18. I had to pull over and cut the truck off about 5 times in those last two miles. I pulled the alternator and luckily it was still under warranty. I had replaced it last July 22 when I replaced the battery and all the cables.
Everything is grand now. I appreciate everyone's input. 
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Paul |
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