jimbo79 Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Volt meter does not read correct voltage. Alternator light dimly lit at all RPM's. Battery drains overnight. Stop lamp and brake fluid lights dimly lit. However, Headlights bright while under way. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebz Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Classic symptoms. New alt time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 The alternator may be causing both problems. There may be some shorted diodes in the alternator causing the battery to drain. When you replace the alternator hopefully that will cure the battery drain also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfdog Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 The alternator may be causing both problems. There may be some shorted diodes in the alternator causing the battery to drain. When you replace the alternator hopefully that will cure the battery drain also. Strangely enough, developed the exact same symptoms within days of installing a new alternator on the convertible, though not having the battery draining issue. Looks like that one will have to go back! --wd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robm Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 If the diodes are open, instead of shorted, I believe you will get this lights on effect, without the battery draining. And a shorted diode can burn itself open with a jumpstart, so your symptoms can change fast. Check for AC voltage at the battery terminals with the motor running at 1500-2000 RPM. There should be almost nothing. When mine blew last winter, it was putting out about 30 VAC, as well as 14.7 VDC, so it actually worked OK for a couple of days. This was AFTER the diode blew, before that, it drained the battery flat overnight. The new alternator put out just a few millivolts of AC, and 14.7 VDC. Full story: Charging System Anomalies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.