Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site decwrl.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ucbvax!decwrl!moroney@jon.DEC (Mike Moroney) From: moroney@jon.DEC (Mike Moroney) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: Alternator Question Message-ID: <583@decwrl.UUCP> Date: Wed, 25-Sep-85 22:57:24 EDT Article-I.D.: decwrl.583 Posted: Wed Sep 25 22:57:24 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 28-Sep-85 04:46:58 EDT Sender: daemon@decwrl.UUCP Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation Lines: 18 >I have a 72' Dodge, and occasionally while night driving, the >dash lights get very bright and the alternator meter almost >pegs itself to +40. I don't know what the scale is, but it ranges from >-40 to the left, a middle position, and then +40 to the right. Normally >the needle is in the middle position. Does this indicate a faulty >alternator, a faulty voltage regulator, or what? It only happens during >the night with the lights on. Sounds like a bad voltage regulator to me. Probably one of the internal relays is sticking, telling the alternator to keep charging the system (showing the +40 on the ammeter) which also will increase the system voltage which shows up as brighter lights. I bet your car devours headlights and other lights, too. It's probably best to get it fixed soon, excessive voltage may cause your battery to explode. -Mike Moroney ..decwrl!rhea!jon!moroney Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com