Low output alternator

[Sschultz]

When in drive, but at a stop (idle). with the air on, or lights, and blower fan on ( basically an electrical load on the system) my alt. output is very low, to the point, for example my blinkers slow down, and lights dim. But if I rev. the engine the voltage seems to stablize.
I can buy a voltage reg rebuild kit( about $40.00), but I'm conserned that the actual problem is that alternator itself is not producing enough voltage, for the voltage regulator to regulate.
Has anyone that has experianced this problem, had any luck with the regulator rebuild kit? Or is the solution just to replace the hole Alt.?

 

[EliteConcept]

well there is another post on here similar to your problem.
try this...if your alt is bad..start your truck let it run then dissconect the battery...the alt should keep the truck running...if its bad....then it will die.
if it don't die...have your battery checked...clean the battery posts.
the A/c is quite a load on the engine.
these are what i would try first.

 

[Sschultz]

I'm the one that wrote that suggestion. This test will only tell you if your alt. is totally wiped out.
The battery isn't bad. I had this problem before and after the new battery.
It is not the heavy load of the A/C. I used that for an example. I could just have the radio on ( Just something to load the battery).
The problem is definitely in the alternator.

 

[Ray Lobato]

At what RPM are you idling at? Maybe your idle speed is set too low?

 

[Sschultz]

I'm sitting at about 700-800rpm. ( this is on the factory tack) if I rev up to about 1000 rpm with a light load, the alt pops back to normal. If I have the lights, air, and radio on, the rpm has to be much higher. I can say that the rpm is not to low because when it's under a heavy load the truck will start to pull forward (in drive) before the alt starts opperating normally. This indicates to me that a regulator rebuild is probably not going to cut it, because the alt is not producing enough juice for the regulator to regulate.
Any input would welcome.

 

[rockylaurence]

Lost brush or brushes

The alternator has internal brushes. My guess is that one or more ain't working, which is dropping the output. Take it to AutoZone and have them check it.

 

[Sschultz]

Guys,
I do apprciate the good input, but, I know the alt. isn't working wright.
What I'm trying to find out is if someone has had the same condition, and has rebuilt the regulator, with any good results.