8 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHVoltage
Leading reported evidence
Replace /
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Leading evidence: 'Replace /' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace /' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
It does not look too bad to pull and replace the regulator, i have one on order.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
Thanks, is there anyway to test the regulator before I pull the alternator?
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
8 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T172408Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Is it normal for the voltage to vary between ~12 and 14 volts at idle, particularly when I first start up?
I am chasing a batter drain, I think. New battery from a couple months old. If I do not drive it for a few days there is a pause in the cranking when I start it up. I have all the interior lights turned off at all times. There is an aftermarket stereo, but that is off. The car does honk when I lock it most times. Indicating it thinks one of the doors is open, I have tried almost slamming them shut, plus the center console. No luck.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
You may need a new voltage regulator. It is on the back side of the alternator. Easy to replace once the alternator is out. Make sure there is no corrosion on the 12V main in the engine bay, and the negative ground which is right in front of the rear passenger wheel.
Voltage regulator will not cause a battery drain. Some fluctuation is normal depending on load.
What do you mean by a "pause"? If the car cranks strongly and fires right up, you have no battery issue.
Not easily. I've heard that a well insulated wire can be worked back behind the alternator and just touch the connector. But, you will have to have the engine running and it does not seem like a good idea to try that. Just better to pull the alternator. Buy a new voltage regulator first. You can also buy a new Bosch alternator on Amazon. At 21 years old it might be a good idea to just install a new alternator with a new voltage regulator already on it.
An alternative, find a local shop that fixes starters and alternators and take it to them.
Yes it will. Been several instances mentioned in threads about battery drain from bad diodes in the voltage regulator. To run that one down, let the car sit overnight, open engine bay and place your hand on the alternator. If it is warm (not at ambient temp) then the diodes are bad and it will drain down the battery. I am suggesting the voltage regulator because OP mentioned flucuations at idle.
It cranks for second, stops, then cranks again. It does not look too bad to pull and replace the regulator, i have one on order. hopefully that is my fix
Have you changed/replaced the clutch switch? Sometimes if I don't hold down the clutch pedal just right it will crank and then stop. It is my mistake. Then I start over and everything works right.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
