The message to which you are about to reply is shown first. GO TO REPLY FORM



 VIEW    REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Alternator Question - long post - 200 1985

posted by  someone claiming to be 81242B21FCA on  Mon Dec 29 17:46 CST 2003 [RELATED]

Dim warning lights can mean a bad diode in the alternator. This causes the output to drop below battery voltage for short periods of time, too short for a meter to register. A scope on the alternator output will show either negative going spikes (short) or flat spots (open) in the output waveform. On average, the bulbs are receiving a small amount of current from the battery. Some auto electrical service manuals show pictures of these waveforms. The alternator will be able to maintain the battery under light load conditions but will not be able to deliver its' maximum rated output. The battery light will glow brighter right after starting or with heavy electrical load.






USERNAME
Use "claim to be" below if you don't want to log in.
PASSWORD
I don't have an account. Sign me up.
CLAIM TO BE
Use only if you don't want to login (post anonymously).
ENTER CAPTCHA CODE
This is required for posting anonymously.
OPTIONS notify by email
Available only to user accounts.
SUBJECT
MODEL/YEAR
MESSAGE

DICTIONARY
LABEL(S) +
IMAGE URL *
[IMAGE LIBRARY (UPLOAD/SELECT)]

* = Field is optional.

+ = Enter space delimited labels for this post. An example entry: 240 muffler


©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.