Alternator Issues

[Jono]

ok here goes.

 

i bought a brand new alternator 6 months ago for my 4age. it seems the regulator doesn't work sometimes when the engine is first started and is really cold. the voltmeter goes up and down with revs and the headlights dim when the revs fall off (which is guess is normal behaviour if your regulator is no good). after about a minute and a quick squirt up the driveway the voltmeter reads a steady 14.x volts.

 

is that normal or should i be taking it back to be checked?

[Medicine_Man]

I'm assuming your alternator is the internally regulated Denso compact type..

 

Really the alternator should charge over 14v straight away when the car is started (14.3V is a good figure). First thing I would be checking is your alternator wiring is in good condition. The make sure the Sense and Ignition wires are not loose in the connector (And Sense has 12v and Ignition has 12v when the ignition is switched on). The sense wire is going to be how the regulator knows how much charge the alternator is getting and a good place to start looking. Failing that you may have to take it back if it is still under warranty or find yourself an auto sparky to have a look at it (Could be as simple as replacing the internal regulator).

 

http://www.rollaclub.com/faq/index.php?tit..._Wiring_Diagram <-- Wiring diagram so you know what I'm on about..