Hello all,

New to this forum. Was on the "other" forum site, but you guys are much more knowledgeable!

Here goes it. What should the voltmeter on my truck read @idle and during normal driving operation? It is the factory gauge (three pod on top of the dash includes oil pressure, inclinmeter, voltmeter).

At idle it falls to about 12v. During normal driving it is approx. 14v. Are these numbers OK? Idle at rest is between 400-500 RPM. Are low idle and low voltage inter-related problems? What should I check?

1990 Mitsubishi Montero RS, 4 dr, 3L, V6, auto, rear LSD, AC, Valley Springs w/KYB, etc.

TIA,
Kela

Your idle should be around 750rpm. I believe your volts at idle should read just a little over 12v. Someone else please chime in on this.

These vehicles don't charge very well at idle simply because the alternator doesn't spin fast enough...most people don't think about the added load from a/c, lights, etc. when they look at the voltmeter.

The situation you describe is normal, but if you want charging at idle (because you spend alot of time at slow speeds) contact an alternator remanufacturer and obtain the smallest drive pulley you can possibly get...this will increase your alternator RPM at idle, and resolve your problem.

Rob in Hell

I idle at right around 500rpm and my voltage meter indicates a range of ~14-15V. I actually need to kick my idle up. I just replaced my rotor and distributor cap, and as a result my voltage jumped from around 12 to the range it's at now.

HTH...
Sean

v6 has a bigger alt then the 2.6 cause i know sometimes i'll come to a stop with my turn signal on and it doesn't blink(happens when the truck is still kinda warming up) if i've got the head lights on windshield wipers on and stereo blaring!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> but thats only like at low rpm like 500-800 range

Are you sure thats because of the alternator, trunks? I had a 2.6 with a lightbar that would drop the volt-o-meter into the 5-6v range, and a dual amp system, and my turn signal always worked. However, on my 3.0, it doesn't work sometimes since the relay is all screwed up. Just a thought.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by JonS:
<strong>Are you sure thats because of the alternator, trunks? I had a 2.6 with a lightbar that would drop the volt-o-meter into the 5-6v range, and a dual amp system, and my turn signal always worked. However, on my 3.0, it doesn't work sometimes since the relay is all screwed up. Just a thought.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I have the same problem with my '89 LWB. flaky turn signals when idling, blower won't spin up by itself sometimes. If I leave the AC button pushed in and blower on when I turn off the car. When I go to start it, it won't turn over. When I turn the AC off and blower, the car cranks.

This just started happening in the last 5k miles...

I think we may be on to some problem here that can be remedied...

Any ideas?

pmontero

P.S. - The Raider doesn't have any of these problems... same engine, etc.

<small>[ September 19, 2002, 08:02 PM: Message edited by: pmontero ]</small>

Any head way on this, been having the same problems just replaced alternator thinking that was it but no luck same damn problem. Will set TPS and SAS tommorow, to see if that helps, chime in if this has been fixed...ps does napa let you returned alternator that hjave been installed...