Modulating headlights and a bouncing voltmeter

[BlakeOfDoom]

well, the wife came home the other night, when she pulled up i noticed the headlights were flickering pretty bad. At idle, the needle jumps sporadically until I accelerate, then it evens out.

Would a loose connection or bad componenet cause this? are there any trouble spots I should be looking in?

 

[BlakeOfDoom]

Turns out.....

the power charge stud on the back was arcing pretty bad. I realzied this after I remozed the alternator. Unfortunately in doing so I snapped the power charge stud in the back.

Now I have a new dilemma. Is there any way to replace the stud? I have never seperated an alternator before.
Any alternatives? could I mig a new stud in place?

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Sounds like your having the same problem I was before my alternator went... I think they just "pop" out, might try and find a place to rebuild yoru alternator for you where you live and go from there.

 

[92exp4x4]

You are probaly better off getting a new one. The regulator is most likely going bad or is bad anyway. These trucks use internally regulated alternators and are designed to be non-servicable units. I went and got the most expensive reman i could find, trust me the extra money is worth it. I bought two cheapies until the third good one fixed my truck. Did this twice, once with my 94 Ex and then on my dad's 93 Ex.

Funny part is the "expensive" one was only about $10 more.

 

[nitro71]

I'm not sure but the stud might screw out? If it does you could get a new stud at the junk yard.

I would clean your terminals on the cables and battery till they are shiny. Put some permatex anti-corrosion on them and put them back together. I'd also check battery water level. Probably take it to a auto parts store and have them put there electrical system tester on it.

This very well could be a bad alternator, you could score one at the junkyard. Slap it in and see if it goes away or just get a new one. Seems like they go bad every 10 years or so.