I have a 1986 Buick sedan. My alternator was hammered so the mechanic put in a new one. When I am driving 60-70 on the freeway, the needle hovers above the + plus side on the right. When I'm driving in stop and go traffic, the voltage meter goes toward the - minus side on the left. The needle always perks up at faster speeds. Is this normal? Hopefully my new alternator is ok, I hope anyway. Thanks for your help.
2006-09-05 17:11:58 · 8 answers · asked by mrfrudd2006 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Okay, here's what to do. Everyone that has sense enough to Change a Lightbulb at Home, a Flaslight Battery, or a Fuse really should have a Digital Volt-Ohm Meter.With it, You can also check Your Car's Voltage. Here's how. Go to Radio Shack, or any good Electronics Store, and get a Decent Digital Volt-Ohm Meter, for about $50. Make sure it's got the Audiable Continuity Test for Testing Fuses, Light Bulbs, and Switches.And, Auto-Off, so if You forget to Swich it Off, it will do it for You, and not Kill it's own Battery. But We need to Check Your Car's Voltage. Get a Cigarette Lighter Plug with Terminals to Attach to Your Digital Voltmeter. You might have to get a set of Leads Soldered on to the Plug, and a Set of Insulated Alligator Clips onto the Leads. One Red for the [+] Lead, and One Black for the [-] Lead. Then, You can easily see just what Your Car's Voltage is. Did You end up with a "One Wire" Alternator ? I have one on My Car, which has to be ReVved-Up to go to 12 Volts. Once it's there, it maintains that, even at Idle. That's the difference between an Alternator and a Generator.If Your Voltage drops below 12 Volts at a lower Engine Speed, then You might have a bad Alternator. Then again, You might have a bad Battery. Check Your Battery's Voltage with Your Meter before You Start Your Car. If it's 12 Volts, or better, chances are it's OK.Whatever You do, don't Disconnect the Battery with Your Engine Running. This will Damage Your Vehicle's Electrical System. You can get a Free Battery Load Test at Advance Auto, Auto Zone, Napa, or any good Auto Parts Supplier. Also, Are Your Battery Terminals OK ? Especially the [-] Ground Lead, where it Attaches to the Engine/Ground.Flex both Battery Leads back & Forth. If They feel real Stiff and Brittle, Replace them, because They have Internal Corrosion.Chances are, Your Mechanic has already Checked all of that out. But, make a Copy of this, and take it to Radio Shack, and they'll "Hook You Up" with a Meter, Plug, & Cables.Feel Free to Contact Me if I can be of any further assistance.
2006-09-05 18:01:14 · answer #1 · answered by gvaporcarb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean AMP meter or Volt meter? An AMP meter usually has a +& - . A Volt meter will read volts from about 8 0r 9 to about 18. The alternator should be charging between 11.9 and 14.6 volts depending on the state of charge in the battery,and the load on the engine. It should never fall below 11.5 volts, or rise above 15 volts. An AMP meter for your car should never go to the minus side., unless you have almost everything in the car on. If it does, you may have a weak battery, bad cables, or batt. terminals. Go to Auto Zone and have them load test the system.
2006-09-06 01:08:51 · answer #2 · answered by B H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gauge in your dashboard in only an INDICATOR of what is going on under the hood.
Your new alternator will have different characteristics, or a different "personality" than the old one.
Your mechanic wants you to be satisfied with the repair, so I am sure that he MOST LIKELY checked the alternator after he installed it, and before he gave you your car back. It is PROBABLY O.K.
If you have any doubts, (there is such a thing as a defective part) take your car back to him and ask him to check it out again, just to be sure. It won't take him long, and he can prove to you that he can be trusted to treat you right.
Happy Motoring
2006-09-06 00:21:40 · answer #3 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an alternator will output more voltage the faster your engine is turning, that is the purpose of the regulator to maintain a constant charge rate, if the regulator is in the alternator, it would be suspect, 1986 probably had an external regulator. check with partsamerica.com if the regulator is available, or if it is in the alternator.
2006-09-06 00:21:39 · answer #4 · answered by sllyjo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes everything is fine the faster you drive the more volts it puts out, plus its a 86 model the needle is fine
2006-09-06 00:17:59 · answer #5 · answered by soggybottomboy5005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its fine its jsut the charge the battery is getting faster its charging and slow its usining the battery
2006-09-06 00:26:25 · answer #6 · answered by hot_italianguy16 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Man ive own so many cars that did that. It should be ok
2006-09-06 00:15:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be a loose alternator belt
2006-09-06 00:14:41 · answer #8 · answered by chicken_plucker69 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋