This is a 1988 Callaway with only 3473 miles on it. It was in storage from 1993 until May, 2006. The car runs fine, but the voltage sometimes goes high. The engine will idle faster and the climate control display whacks out. Often, the problem goes away if you turn the car off and back on or turn the headlights on, but not always. I've been told it's the alternator or grounding problems. I have only found 2 grounds so far (near headlights), so locations of grounds to check would be helpful. The existing alternator is like new as is everything else in the engine compartment, so I have a hard time believing it could be the alternator.
2007-03-24 13:09:50 · 7 answers · asked by kc_dickson 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Chevrolet
hi, your alternator will have a regulator module inside it. replace just the module and save yourself big bucks and your problems will go away. do this asap,as it will burn out other stuffs like your headlights, dome lights, dashboard lights, and who knows what. goodluck.
2007-03-24 14:09:03 · answer #1 · answered by charlie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes your alternator is out put charging and perhaps because the car sits for a long while and has to be brought up to a level charge. Now if it doesn't ever go down then yes have the alternator tested to make sure the diode hasn't blown and fully charging all the time, that will ruin the battery.
PS, the voltage regulator is in the actual alternator since 1968 on all GM cars and trucks.
2007-03-24 20:15:32 · answer #2 · answered by Kill_Me_Now! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say the voltage regulator is bad in the alternator, thats the only thing that could cause a voltage spike like that, I have seen brand new alternators be bad so just because it looks new it has been sitting for 13 yrs and strange things happen to cars that just sit.
2007-03-24 20:30:02 · answer #3 · answered by mister ss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The voltage regulator is sticking. Check to see if the regulator is inside the alternator or not (i'm pretty sure it is). If so, have your alternator re-built or replaced. The years of sitting have corroded the contacts in the voltage regulator, making them stick together, not allowing the alternator stop charging when battery is fully charged. I love chevys, but as bad as i hate to say it, GM alternators are junk.
2007-03-24 21:06:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
there should be a regulator on the alternator that limits the voltage to about 14.4V, and if it starts acting up, it would cause problems like you mentioned. and all of the other stuff is just side effects of the higher voltage, not a cause. gte your alternator checked out and ill bet its the regulator. if not, make sure that youre actually getting 18 volts by putting a voltmeter on the battery instead of relying on the factory guage (i assume thats what youre relying on). its not real common, but it is possible for a guage to act up like that. but good luck with it, it sounds like youve got yourself a heck of a car, and im glad to hear that youre getting it out on the road again. thats where cars like that belong.
2007-03-24 20:19:03 · answer #5 · answered by hunter79764 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What the other guys have said is right on. But, you all are forgetting the ground thing. I have no idea where all of them are but you can be sure by adding you own from the engine block to the frame or grounding block which is a good idea because of the length of time your car has set up.
2007-03-25 00:04:19 · answer #6 · answered by Johhny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The alternator may be "like new" but it still obviously has a problem with the voltage regulator if you are getting 18 volts spikes. Change it.
2007-03-24 20:15:13 · answer #7 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋