poltergeist 02

iTrader: (65)

im trying to chase down a problem with my voltage guage dancing and lights randomly dimming. i just installed a new battery and new alternator and both checked out ok. so im wondering why would the voltage reading fluctuate in the exciter wire without turning any of the accessories on or off? a/c was of and fans were on the whole time, so that shouldn't affect it. i have also checked all power/grounds for contact and corrosion.

massls1guy

iTrader: (9)

What kind of alternator? I got one from PepBoys and it looked pretty. Piece of ****, would stop charging when it got really hot or cold out. Of course on their test setup the alternator passed OK.

I even rigged a momentary switch between battery voltage and the exciter - on cold days I would start the car, if voltage was low (alternator not charging) I would go under the hood and press the switch and the extra voltage made the crap alternator start charging.

Bought a used stock alternator off here and all problems solved.

poltergeist 02

iTrader: (65)

it's a car quest brand alt. i replaced the factory one because it was doing the same thing @ only 26000mi. thought it may have had some corrosion build up inside it from its age.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Are you referring to the control wire in the four pin plug? It gets it's signal from the PCM.

I'd trace this wire through the harness and see if it's got a connection problem or is chaffed and grounding on something sporadically with movement.

Pwebbz28

iTrader: (31)

The problem with reman alts is they only fix what's broken. The regulator in the alt needs to be replaced. They test fine but I'm 99% sure it's the regulator. See if u can find a rebuild shop in your area and have them replace it no matter how it tests.

massls1guy

iTrader: (9)

Another thing to check is your power steering pump. If the shaft seal is leaking it drips PS fluid on the alternator, bad.

I did OK with a reman PS pump from pep boys, no leaks.

Might want to pick up an exciter wire at some point. The wire can get strained at the connector during removal/install, just keep an eye on it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-02...item563c8ffac2

poltergeist 02

iTrader: (65)

i have checked all of these things and so far i havn't found anything that throws up a red flag.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

To come to the conclusion that the exciter wire has a fluctuating voltage, can we assume you connected a volt meter to it while the engine was running?

What voltage does this wire read when disconnected (unplugged) from the alternator with the engine running? This voltage will be a reading of what the PCM is sending to the alternator.

Without further testing, I'll say your problem is not the alternator.

O2Form

My 02 does the same exact thing, I hope you find a solution so I can fix mine. Good Luck.

The Alchemist

iTrader: (19)

So what should the voltage be at the exciter wire with the car running and you disconnect it from the alternator?

cookba

iTrader: (10)

funny i am having the same issue. new alt, not a reman, and ps pump is not leaking on alt. gotta be that exciter wire or the grounding strap is hitting something and killing the voltage although mine hasnt gone below 11.4 yet but it does fluctuate between 14.1 and 11.4.

oh and i would use this exciter wire over the other one posted as it comes with 18" of wire compared to 6".
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS1-A...lenotsupported