When it comes to car repair, I am a novice.?

Question

Here is the problem. Under a load, my charge gauge keeps jumping back and forh.. My lights come on and then get dimmer under a load then are OK. Then they start to dim again. What might be wrong?? The car is an 89 Chrysler 5th Avenue.

Answer 1

Your alternators voltage regulator is starting to go bad. Just replace the alternator, and you'll be fine.

Answer 2

First Thing Find Out If Ur Car Has An External Regulator,Some Older Dodges Do.If So Replace It See If The Problem Stops,If Not Check Alternator,A Bad Battery Can Cause Weird Charging System Problems Too,U Shouldn't Be Charged At Advance Auto Or Auto Zone They Will Check The System For Free To Sell U The Part,Advance Has The Better Replacement Alternators Though...

Answer 3

Do you have a belt for the altenator or a sepentine belt? ( A sepintine belt is a one piece belt that goes around everything) Either way, if the single belt is loose the way you tighten it up is loosen the alternator bolts and place a pry bar of some sorts on the alt. and pry it out to tighten up the belt( is should flex about a 1/2 in. when tightened) On a serpintine belt it is possible the thing has stretched and you need a new one. The tensioner is a thing that puts pressure on the belt and is a wheel the belt goes around and doesn't wrap around the alt.,water pump air conditioner pump. See what I mean? If you stick a 3/8 ratchet in it(the center of it and on the tighten or loosen side of it(I can't remember) but it will let you move it to where the belt becomes slackened by letting the slack to take off the belt you can replace it, following the diagram on the sticker across the front of the hood opening above the radiator housing. Or it could be the tensioner itself gone bad After installing a new belt you still have too much slack on the belt , then its the tensioner. To replace it just remove the bolt inthe center of it and replace with a new one

Answer 4

Your voltage regulator might be going out. Unfortunately, this is integrated with the Powertrain control module. Chrysler had the great idea to put these two parts together. The alternators have a very low failure rate though.

Answer 5

this sounds like you have a faulty ground wire. From the battery there is a ground wire that goes to the body...your negative battery cable should have a wire going the body of the car...check this wire...this sounds like your problem...and it will cause major electrical problems if not repaired....the simple way to check it is first just get ahold of it and give it a pull...not to hard but hard enough to see if it will break....then check the connection at the body and at the battery. If this is ok then look at your other ground wires...most of them or all of them should be black...look for corrosion or loose connections...if the "tug test" I described above breaks the wire then you have found your problem....very common on chrysler and other cars.

Answer 6

most likely the brushes are worn out on the alternator if you are mechanically adept they can be replaced with out much trouble if not replace it with a re manufactured unit be sure to clean both battery terminals and inspect the ground connections at the body and the engine[at bell housing bolt] and leave the ground cable disconnected while changing out the alternator.

Answer 7

Either the battery or the alternator is going bad. Have it checked, and replace whichever part is failing. In rare cases, it might be both failing. Usually the auto parts store will check it for you if you bring it in.

Answer 8

Bad alternator

Answer 9

You may have a lose battery terminal, looks like your current delivery is low, it is felt more when you need more electrical power and that happens under high loads

Answer 10

first off it is a dodge. possibly normal operation, but in case you think there is a real problem, first check battery terminals, clean if nec. then have batt tested. then alternator. best bet 1 of these is going out on you.