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those with the lightened and underdriven alternator pulley

B

BrApple

No Life But CEG
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Dec 23, 2001
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Gales Ferry, CT
what is your voltage at idle? what is it with a load?

I just put in a brand new alternator and with the underdriven pulley while cruising the voltage is exactly 14.7 volts but at idle it drops to about 13.1 or so ...


now sometimes the voltage will not drop at idle, trypically right after I start the car but a little later the voltage drops at idle.

also I have noticed that in the mornings this week, with the temp being in the 50's the charging is spot on at 14.7 volts but in the afternoon leaving work the voltage tends to only get to 14 volts ...

I plan to swap the stock pulley on this weekend and see how it acts since I haven't used it on the new alternator yet ...

any thoughts and might the wiring fix be in order? I am thinking that if the resistance of the reference wire gets to higher with the increased temp that this could be part of the issue ...
 
I can't provide any voltage readings, but I've had the lighter UDP in place for three years, and haven't experienced any electrical troubles - until very recently, when my battery light started flickering at high RPMs, but I assume that's nothing to do with the UDP.
 
steener said:
I can't provide any voltage readings, but I've had the lighter UDP in place for three years, and haven't experienced any electrical troubles - until very recently, when my battery light started flickering at high RPMs, but I assume that's nothing to do with the UDP.
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thanks but I am not talking about the UDP for the crank I am asking about the one for the alternator ...


and a flickering battery light at high rpm calls for a new alternator ...
 
I'm pretty sure my readings are the same as yours. I've had my alt+ps pullies on for about 2-3 years now. I'll try to get more exact readings.. but I know I'm at 14.7 after a start... but can't recall how low it is with the a/c & headlights. I know low 13's are not uncommon though. I also haven't yet done the alt flicker fix.
 
well I may have found my problem ... not sure what happened but I am guessing the nut wasnt installed ... the B+ power wire is melted back about an inch, stud is gone and the lug melted through and the dust boot burnt up ...

****ty camera phone pics for now, will post better ones tomorrow ...

05-13-07_1831.jpg


05-13-07_1832.jpg
 
There really is nothing wrong with those voltage numbers. My SVT rarely even gets above 14. Yeah it should be about 14.3-14.7 but it doesn't cause any problems so whatever. Alternator isn't stock.
 
Kremithefrog said:
There really is nothing wrong with those voltage numbers. My SVT rarely even gets above 14. Yeah it should be about 14.3-14.7 but it doesn't cause any problems so whatever. Alternator isn't stock.
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sure the alternator is charging but i do not like having my interior/exterior lights dim at idle, the wipers slow down, having it hit nead 12 volts when the fan is on high with the A/C on ...
 
Oh mine, doesn't drop that low. But that was with your problem that you found right? So once you fix that, you're probably fine. Though with a system, before having a capacitor, in my zetec it used to drop to 11.something at idle, lights would dim some but again no big deal. Batteries lasted forever in my zetec. If I don't drive the svt for a few weeks (happens a lot) then the battery dies, like fails test after charge kind of dies. It's had three or four batteries (no questions asked warranty) in it since I've owned in a little over 2 years, but I guess that's mainly the PATS system draining it, and there may be some drain from added accesories, though of course they're off when car is off.
 
My lights (gauges and headlights) used to dim at idle. HID's from the gb fixed the dimming /flickering headlights, and I don't really notice the interior lights dimming anymore.
 
morbid said:
Not just seven months... but 1 year and 7 months!


That has got to be the dumbest newb post I've seen yet.
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The sad thing is....he is trying to get a group buy for us ceg'rs to build stuff at his company plant. Professionalism at best here!!
 
Well, my SVT is in storage but when I bring it out next i'll try to remember to look at the voltage.

FWIW, I have stupid lightened/underdriven alternator and power steering pullies and like them... :)
 
99Mystique ATX said:
Well, my SVT is in storage but when I bring it out next i'll try to remember to look at the voltage.

FWIW, I have stupid lightened/underdriven alternator and power steering pullies and like them... :)
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I have lighten crank...ps and alt pulley:shrug:

I love them:cool:
 
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