Thanks for the input Jim
Generally I donÆt go in for any of the gimmick type items, and I wasnÆt trying to drive this question in that direction at all, I am not thinking of making any ignition upgrades right now, and I am not looking gain performance, the Jeep is a blast as is for now, it may be getting a very little lift this summer, but thatÆs another story.
I was only trying to rationalize what I thought I was feeling with the operation of the jeep. I am fully aware of people thinking they are going faster because their wallets are lighter, and I donÆt think thatÆs the case, but the rational side of my mind needed to ask.
The diode may have just finally failed, I am really not sure, but I have been picking up noise (whine) on the AM radio since I have owned the jeep (~3 years), which is gone now too. The old alternator was still putting out around 14 volts with jeep just running around 1500 RPM with no load, but as soon as I flipped on the high beams the volt meter I had hooked to the battery dropped to around 12.2 volts, and when I went to start the jeep in the morning it momentarily dropped to 7-9 volts, but if the jeep had been running, and then was started again while everything was warm the voltage only dropped to about 11V when started. As soon as I put the battery on the charger it acted like the battery was low on charge, and it spent half the day Saturday charging up. Initially I was thinking both battery and alternator, but I am thinking now the battery might be ok. IÆll keep an eye on it, but its turning right over now, just like everything was brand new. Obviously I checked every connection for corrosion and tightness prior to anything else, and all were excellent.
Anyway I was just thinking the alternator with one bad diode would have one of the three windings operating at a different voltage/ current than the other two, and that momentary interruption or pulse in the voltage/ current might be affecting the operation of something else on the jeep, my first thought was the ignition system, but really I suppose even if it was affecting anything in the computer / feedback system it could have had an effect in the Jeep's operation. Unfortunately my understanding of electronics is not as strong as my understanding of mechanical things.
Like I said I am more just thinking out loud here, rather than looking to change anything it's running great now. It sure is nice to have these forums where we can openly discuss topics
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Sean
