My car is having some bad charging issues if I run any accessories besides the radio. Today I did a voltage test on it and at idle (around 700 rpm) it was floating between high 12's and 14v but it would get higher then drop and keep cycling like that. If I increased the rpm to about 800 or so it would stay right around 14v. When I turned everything on (lights, fog lights, a/c,... ) it dropped to barely over 12 volts at any rpm. The biggest problem is, when I run things like the lights or a/c, it will die on me if it is revved up at all then I instantly clutch it without giving it gas. When I come to a stop light I have to clutch it and give it gas to keep it running.

This is 3rd alternator I've had on it and it is supposed to be 140 amp. I'm not sure if it is the alternator or if it could be the wiring or something else. Does anyone know what this sounds like is wrong? Any help is appreciated.

Also, I believe I need a battery too, because the one I have reads about 11.8-11.9v once I turn the car off.

Edit: I don't know if this helps but I meant to add that if I'm running the lights and a/c for very long, when I try to accelerate the car sputters and misses before kicking in and going.

 

bump

 

Do you have underdrives? You need to have the amp output on it checked. Can charge 14 volts but not put out enough amperage. The battery could also cause the problem. If it's not a sealed battery, have it charged and then have the cells checked w/ a hydrometer to see what shape they are in.

 

I don't have underdrive pulleys and I had the alternator tested at advance auto and the guy said it was putting out -20 amps. I dind't think amps could be negative so I just figured it was just 20 amps. I thought this seemed low, but the guy said it would only draw as many amps as the car required at the time.

 

Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

Sounds to me that you are having problems with your iac valve. Especially if it's not idling with the a/c on. As far as the low voltage goes check the ground to the block by the power steering pump, after I cleaned and replace that cable my system charges much better, 12.5v with everything on.

Good luck

 

The iac valve doesn't work at all. I tried putting a new one on but it acted like a cruise control and when driving and never let the car idle down to where it should, so I returned it and just have to use the pedal to keep it running if it's cold out.

 

?

 

Dude if you have a 140 amp alt only putting out 20 amps I think the problem is obvious!!! Or the tard at Advanced has no clue how to test it.