[soccerguy045]

My generator idiot light has been coming on at start-up lately. When I tap the gas the light will go off and will not come back on at all during a cruise. A few days ago, we tried to do something with my A/C, and then I was noticing this light at start-up problem. Eventually starting my car was sluggish, and then I got stuck somewhere. Since I hadn't died while driving, I didn't think it was an alternator problem. I got jumped and was good to go and charged my battery. We felt the alternator belt was a bit loose so we retightend it. I also felt a loose belt was maybe a cause because my cell phone charger was acting really crazy (going on and off) if I was not in a high RPM in any of my gears I drove it a few places during the last day and a half and have had no problems. Just a bit ago I went to go somewhere and the light came on at start-up again, and with the tap of the gas it went away. I just got a new voltimeter, so I'm wondering what I should check and what to look for. The alternator, by the way, is still externally regulated. Thanks.

 

[John_Muha]

Just a stab without you taking any measurements. The idiot light hesitating to turn off at start-up sometimes indicates a regulator problem. If you choose not to take a number of readings you can try changing the regulator. Try a solid state unit made by Wells. Autozone carries these at around $11.00. Part number is VR715. Disconnect the battery before installing this and make sure the Wells unit is grounded to the core support.

 

[soccerguy045]

Thanks, I'll try that. The regulator I have is original with the car so if it is kaput I won't be surprised. Just a little follow-up though, I've noticed a few other weird things tonight that I put together from occurances the night before. Anytime I'd hit the brake (engaging lights), my CD player would act as if though resetting itself or as if it had been powered off then on again. When I'd release the brake, same thing. The same goes for turning a signal on or off or my high beams. Just thought I'd throw that in, and if there are any readings I need to take I'll be glad to, just incase these symptoms are of something else. Either way I'll go get a new regulator, not that expensive. Thanks again.

 

[ACLineman]

Make sure you have a good Battery to engine ground.
Also good engine to frame ground (braided valve cover grounds).
With all that other stuff happening it sounds as if the system is going whacky under load, and if it is to several different systems chances are it's a system ground (common ground supplying all units)

Just a hunch.

The ALT light should be a diffenrent issue however and John is correct.

Good luck

 

[John_Muha]

Originally posted by ACLineman:
Make sure you have a good Battery to engine ground.
Also good engine to frame ground (braided valve cover grounds).

Here's what one guy did recently using a method Peter posted a while back. It checks out the regulator with the key being on and the engine running or off.
BTW
Engine to frame straps don't fix charging or starting problems. Items attached to the engine, such as the alternator get ground from the large negative cable attached to the block.
http://www.chevelles.com/forum/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=22;t=004390