I recently replaced the altenator in my '82 wagon, and I am getting odd behavior from the dash volt gauge. It will jump between 14.4 and 12. Sometimes it will stay at 12 volts and slowly drop down to 10ish, but I don't notice anything different in the car (no loss of power, lights do not dim.) I haven't found my volt meter yet, but I was wondering if there is anything else in the electrical system that would cause this to happen if it failed?

Sounds like the voltage regulator went out or should i say is on its way out. If i remember right in 82 it was still a separate unit from the alternator.

'82 was the first year for internally regulated alts.

 

Until you test it with your DMM, you won't know what's going on, but I will say I've seen problems like this from worn-out ignition switches, poor connections on the back of the gauge cluster, poor grounds, etc, etc.

 

GD

'82 was the first year for internally regulated alts.

 

 

GD

 

Damn knew it was either the last or the first. Lost that one. 82 was a weird year.

Edited November 7, 200916 yr by hatchsub

Yeah - '82 is a weird year. Not so weird that I won't buy one like the 80/81...... but still a transistion year.

 

GD

'82 was the first year for internally regulated alts.

 

Until you test it with your DMM, you won't know what's going on, but I will say I've seen problems like this from worn-out ignition switches, poor connections on the back of the gauge cluster, poor grounds, etc, etc.

 

GD

 

Those are good starting points to check out, as soon as I can find my multi meter that is. Thanks for the help!