thajuggla

87 Mustang 5.0 w/aftermarket radio, speakers, Viper 2 alarm and gauge pod.

Hey guys, I am having a small problem. This morning when I went to leave my house, I noticed that the AMP light was on and that my meter was reading at almost 18. I had my lights on and heat on because it was morning and cold, so the whole time I drove it was overcharging.

When I was on lunch, I started my car and revved it up to try to get it to overcharge but it wouldnt. Even turned on everything on that I had on in the morning to try and make it happen but it woudlnt.

So about an hour ago I left work and 15 minutes into the drive I notice Im overcharging again. This time I can control the overcharge by turning on my headlights or by turning on my heat full blast.

I left the car running when I got home and popped the hood to see if I could smell something grounding out, or some sort of sparky smell and I couldnt smell anything of the sorts. My horn, lights, interior lights, car alarm, radio, gauge displays, everything works. Nothing has shorted out, nothing is burning...

I checked the neg cable and its in perfect condition tight to the block... wtf is going on here? Thanks guys!

kaggriff

sounds like your voltage regulator is going out in the alt.

thajuggla

is that something theyd be able to see no matter what if i took it to the parts store, or does it have to be in the mood to mess up for them to see it?

kaggriff

they could check it. should show up when they put the system under a load. as your are describing by turn acc on and off.

thajuggla

Well actually when I had put the system under a load, I made the charge read normal instead of 17+.

On the way home it was like Headlights or Air on max = 12AMP?

No lights or air on = 17+AMP

thajuggla

oh and another wierd thing that happened is my left turn signal indicator on the dash never worked, so i figured it was a blown bulb. This morning after the overcharge, all of a sudden it works now.

kaggriff

sounds more like a short know that i understand it is backwards to what i thought. they can still test the system under a load and if the regulator or diode is going they should be able to pick it up and let you know with there equipment

thajuggla

ok cool man, thanks!