9 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHAlternator/Belt tension
Leading reported evidence
Replace similar symptoms
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I had similar symptoms and replaced the main bat cable from the alternator/starter/jump point in engine bay.
Leading evidence: 'Replace similar symptoms' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check some of these out tonight and post back up' (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.
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1
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Suggestion · Original poster
I'll check some of these out tonight and post back up.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I did clean the connectors going to the a generator and they seem to be in good shape.
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.
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Suggestion · Original poster
The generator is under warranty and I was planning on pulling it to replace my oil fill tube anyway, so I'm going to replace it.
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.
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Suggestion
The problem is you have to pull the alternator out to change the voltage regulator.
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.
9 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.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
Just to close this out, the new generator appears to have resolved the issue.
I've been having a bit of a problem with my charging system recently. As background, I replaced the generator 4 years ago and it's been working fine since then. I replaced the drive belt 6 months ago and it has a few thousand miles on it now. Last week on my drive to work I noticed that the voltage reading was below 12V. It was a cold morning and as I babied it to work hoping it wouldn't die, I noticed the voltage suddenly popped up to it's usual 14V. It did this for half a mile and then dropped back below 12V. I wondered if the voltage reading was accurate so I went out at lunch and confirmed the correct reading with a multimeter. The voltage reading is accurate and the generator is not charging when the car is cold. Figuring the generator had died I ordered another and plan on replacing it tomorrow.
The more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Normally when I've seen generators go bad they just stop working (voltage regulator dies). In this case it seems like it works sometimes and doesn't work other other times. I drove the car home from work today so I can do the replacement tomorrow. As expected the voltage reading was low (<12V) for most of the ride, but once the car warmed up it the voltage popped up to 14V. Is it possible this is a belt tension issue and the tensioner is loose in cold temperatures and tight after the engine bay warms up? Is there any spec on the belt tension?
Thanks,
Shawn
I would be surprised if it is belt tension, is the tensioner roller maxed out and very close to the idler pulley next to it (lost spring/failed)? Are you certain you purchased the correct length belt?
Did you check:
the condition of the battery
see if the main power leads from the alternator to starter to jump point in engine bay is corroded
ground strap from battery to chassis is ok
ground strap from engine to chassis is ok
Belts loosen up after a while and have to retightened. That may be your problem.
Also sticky brushes in the voltage regulator/alternator can exhibit this erractic behavior.
You can change out just the voltage regulator.They are available for purchase separate from the alternator.
The problem is you have to pull the alternator out to change the voltage regulator.
I'll check some of these out tonight and post back up.
The generator is under warranty and I was planning on pulling it to replace my oil fill tube anyway, so I'm going to replace it. I suppose that will answer a lot of questions in itself.
I had similar symptoms and replaced the main bat cable from the alternator/starter/jump point in engine bay. The cable was badly corroded (even though it was hard to tell just by looking at it). The problems vanished.
Just to close this out, the new generator appears to have resolved the issue. I'm getting a strong 14V while charging. I did clean the connectors going to the a generator and they seem to be in good shape. I'll let you know if there are any further developments.
-Shawn
