voltage jumping around

[rudefyet]

Ok this really starting to piss me off...I'm out of money and not in the mood to work on my car so i've been ignoring it

But here's the story...my voltage meter is going crazy sometimes...especially at highway speeds...

It'll go from about 14 volt to 16 volts on my gauge...and do it so spractitly that the headlights just flicker cause the power change

I was having problems starting my car after it rained...all i had to do though was jiggle the battery cable...so i took it off and cleaned it off where it connects to the battery...well after cutting myself trying to clean the bitch in GMs dumbfuck location...it still does the same god damn thing

It'll usally jump to 16 volts after i accelrate a bit...maybe at 2500+ rpms...then once i stop it'll stay at 16 and start jumping back and forth...

When it does it during hard acceleration i can feel the car loose power then gain power...like i'm almost pumping the gas pedal...really freakin weird...also the pitch of the fuel pump changes too...

any ideas...any at all

[manitcor]

any of your pullies making any noise?

take your belt off and spin the alternator, if it sqeaks then its on its way out.

thats what it sounds like to me. Make sure its your PS pump making the noise and not something else.

[rudefyet]

damnit...the alternator is almost brand new :evil: :lol: :roll:

[Manny]

Sounds like the good ole’ internal voltage regulator. The regulator is supposed to keep the charging system somewhere between 12 – 14v. If your meter is spiking at 16v, the alternator is overcharging. Voltage regulator going defunct. If your alternator is practically new, that’s a factory defect. Let ‘em have it back… quickly.

[cutlsp]

i had the same thing happen to my 88 cutlass after replacing the alternator only i kept driving it like that and it also killed the battery once the alternator died :oops:

[midnight rider]

either a loose belt or voltage reg is causing it. since you said it spikes when you accelerate.

[rudefyet]

that's sad...the alt only lasted 6k before it started going psycho

I'll loook around...it still may be under warranty

EDIT: It's covered...now i need to find the reciept...give me a few days to accomplish that...i know i kept it...but i have no clue where