I just wanted to let other fox owners know that I have actually found a way to help with the fox charging system, I had ordered a 3G alt, new 4 guage power and ground wire and still could not get my car to charge at idle. I just ordered an overdrive pulley for the alternator and I actually am able to charge at idle with the heat on full blast, lights on and electric fan running. The car was only charging at 11.4 volts and now the car charges at 12.7 volts at idle with all the accessories listed above.

 

hmmm....I would expect it to be at least 13.5 and or above... cause nominal batt voltage is 12.6...how are you reading the voltage??? with what type of meter???

 

[&:] I think you have a deeper problem if you need a 3g alternator + a OVERdrive pully

 

Without the heat going and everthing else I do get 13.5, without any accessories I charge at 14.3 at idle, I did use a digital multi meter hooked up the the battery with the car running to come up with my readings. Like you have told me before I could have a bad alt, but at least the system does not discharge at idle.

 

i've never had a charging problem. 14 volts at idle. all i did was put a summit 100 amp alternator on. before that it was ok too though.

 

I have changed everything on the car as far as the charging goes, I do get 14.3 at idle with no accessories on.

 

This is a serious question. Why is charging at idle so important?

I've been discharging at idle since I bought my car. It's very low during idle and accessories on, especially fans and AC at the same time.

My battery has never went dead and even after getting caught in traffic, forcing me to discharge for a good length of time, I can easily start the car afterwards.

 

alternator runs car battery just another load. so as long as u go above idle no prob.

 

becuase if it doesnt charge at idle theres a problem with something, the alternator, the grounding, plus who whats a dead battery after sitting in stop-n-go traffic [:-]

 

ya my battery died on me last night, so ive decided to get the 3g alt and do the swap for an xmas gift to myself. When i have to have the rear defrost on, heat on full blast, brights on, radio on, and at times possibly the electric fan, i guess it drains the battery lol.