When I roll up the windows, or rev the engine, all the interior lights dim, headlights dim, and the voltage indicator on the dash drops below the 12volt mark. As part of the troubleshooting I removed the alternator and had it tested. It came up mostly dead, so I replaced it, but the dimming thing and dropping voltage hasn't stopped. The truck starts right up, and has never died on me so I don't THINK it's the battery. I'm concerned that I'm seeing the tip of the iceberg, but not sure where to go next. Ideas on what I should check, or if I'm just being paranoid?

I'm right in the middle of my own alternator problems at the moment (again!), but in an effort to help you out, hereÆs a reading listà


(Threads are listed from Oldest to Newest)

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB68&Number=378914

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB68&Number=411461

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB86&Number=568088

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB86&Number=629117

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB68&Number=630877

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB68&Number=636936

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB86&Number=641799


Maybe somewhere in all of ^ that ^ youÆll find the information youÆre looking for.

Good luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Smiley

Yeah, I was noticing some similarities in some of the symptoms you were mentioning in your most recent saga to mine. I don't like the looks of it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

You have my sincere condolences û This is NOT fun.


Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Smiley

I wouldn't be concerned. From the multitude of posts on this subject, It seems to me that our rodeos have tight tolerances regarding alternators and their voltage regulators/self exciting gear. Mine does what you are describing. I think it's just a natural consequece of having a remanufactured alternator. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

One thing you could do for now to help combat your dimming is give the battery a nice overnight trickle charge. If your alternator was failing slowly, the battery was being worked pretty hard. Even though a new alternator will "charge" a battery, in my experience, it's never as good as a good charge from a battery charger. Alternators seem to be much happier maintaining the current level of charge versus charging a dead battery. In fact, about an hour ago I set mine up, these winters are cold and I like to keep a charged battery. Best of luck!

- Jim

PS - Smiley, I have to admit those custom alternators that are putting out about 135-150Amps look awfully nice. I recently bought my alternator new (60amp, vs the 50 that came from this replacement motor) a couple months back and it's been doing nice, but when it starts to go I think I'm going to have the electric shop I bought it from re-wind it and see what we can get out of it. All in due time .

I'm interested in what they have to say about this. Years ago back in HS, I tried to have my stock 60A rewound to hold up to the power requirements of my stereo better. Took it to two different shops (one in Indy, one in Lafayette) and they both told me that kind of alt. couldn't be rewound. Didn't really care enough at the time to ask for specifics................ but now that you've brought it back into mind, its sparked my interest.

Could be talking out my <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> here but there are several tests you can do. First, if you are seeing a voltage drop when you turn you accesscories on, watch the guage. The alternator should jump up to compensate for the draw you are asking of the battery. That's a simple test.

Next, you could do a current draw test to see what happens when you ask the charging system to do its job. Not sure what equip you have at your ready or how much such a test would cost but it's worth looking into. 'Course my new motto is "think outa the box and spend as little money initially to diag. before you move on to the BIG stuff).

A Hydrometer test on your Batt. wouldn't hurt either.

HTH...

dawn...

Yeah, I am a sucker for buying tools, and since Christmas is coming up, I'm not above asking "Santa" (aka the inlaws) for some new toys. I'm open for suggestions on what I should ask for to help diagnose electrical problems. My other money pit is a '96 bimmer 3-series (notorious for electrical trouble as well) so I'll probably get some good mileage out of whatever I get.

The symptoms I described are intermittent, but I can ALWAYS reproduce the dimming by bumping the window switch up when the window's already all the way up. I'll give the trickle charge a shot this weekend and see if it helps (I do have a battery charger already - cross that off the Santa tools list.) The guy I bought the truck off of said it was a "new" battery, but it looks suspiciously like a K-Mart clearance item, so it might just be time for a better battery too.

Thanks for the advice!

Even with a fully charged battery you'll probably get your lights to dim a bit when you hold the button down or up, if it's fully closed or open. I've had that issue as far back as I remember, with multiple vehicles. Best of luck.

- Jim