Alternator / Regulator / Battery?
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Ancaster, Ontario
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Alternator / Regulator / Battery?
Took the 911 out for a long drive today.
Unfortunately, after about an hour of driving multiple warning lights turned on. Battery, PSM/ABS, Check engine....eventually, just the battery light remained on.
Warning notes "generator failure", "brake distribution failure".
Voltage looked to be at around 13V.
I decided to drive back home. The voltage reading slowly decreased from 13, to 12, 11, 10.5 then quickly dropped to 10.
At 10, multiple warning lights turned on again. Battery, PSM/ABS, Check Engine, Air bag.
Luckily I made it back home and was able to open the frunk and engine compartment.
I turned the car off and it would not start, no more juice.
I am thinking it could be alternator, regulator or wiring.
Any suggestions as to cause?
Thanks.
Unfortunately, after about an hour of driving multiple warning lights turned on. Battery, PSM/ABS, Check engine....eventually, just the battery light remained on.
Warning notes "generator failure", "brake distribution failure".
Voltage looked to be at around 13V.
I decided to drive back home. The voltage reading slowly decreased from 13, to 12, 11, 10.5 then quickly dropped to 10.
At 10, multiple warning lights turned on again. Battery, PSM/ABS, Check Engine, Air bag.
Luckily I made it back home and was able to open the frunk and engine compartment.
I turned the car off and it would not start, no more juice.
I am thinking it could be alternator, regulator or wiring.
Any suggestions as to cause?
Thanks.
#2
Mark, sounds like alternator to me.
If you want, if you are able to charge the battery and think it will make it to Brantford, I'd be happy to help diagnose
Cheers,
Rob
If you want, if you are able to charge the battery and think it will make it to Brantford, I'd be happy to help diagnose
Cheers,
Rob
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Mike Mullins (05-10-2023)
#3
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Yes, sounds like classic alternator or regulator failure. Luckily both are housed together in the alternator. Replace the alternator with a new one and shoot two birds with one stone.
A good test is to remove the battery from the car and fully charge it. Take it off the charger and let it sit on a table (not on a concrete floor) and periodically check the voltage over a two day period. If the voltage stays constant over that time the battery is probably good. Then stick it back in the car and drive around with as many accessories on as possible and see if the battery dies. If it does you most likely have a bad alternator or regulator.
If you are feeling adventurous Pelican does sell just the regulator which can be replace by taking apart your existing alternator. Good luck.
A good test is to remove the battery from the car and fully charge it. Take it off the charger and let it sit on a table (not on a concrete floor) and periodically check the voltage over a two day period. If the voltage stays constant over that time the battery is probably good. Then stick it back in the car and drive around with as many accessories on as possible and see if the battery dies. If it does you most likely have a bad alternator or regulator.
If you are feeling adventurous Pelican does sell just the regulator which can be replace by taking apart your existing alternator. Good luck.
#6
in my experiences with alternators(various car makes/models), typically it is the brushes/regulator that fails.
Do you have a handheld voltmeter? Should be 13+Volts when running to be happy. A half decent OBD2 scanner will also have an alternator test function. If all this fails we can scan with my Durametric and/or do further hands-on tests.
Do you have a handheld voltmeter? Should be 13+Volts when running to be happy. A half decent OBD2 scanner will also have an alternator test function. If all this fails we can scan with my Durametric and/or do further hands-on tests.
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#11
Three Wheelin'
Tooo low…..It should be over 13.5 at idle. When you start cold it should be above 13.8 and sometimes 14 and when the engine is warmed it should stay above 13.5 even if you load it with lights , a/c, fans etc….Suggestion: save yourself lots of money , start by changing your voltage regulator! Easy job to do once the alternator is on a bench. There is a lot of DIY for alternator removal on different forums….