Alternator ?

bobterisch · #1 10-20-2005, 10:20 PM

Hi all,
Reading all your posts have helped me fix a few problems with my daughters 96 4.3L blazer. The orange wire power seat repair was great, can u believe that they run the rear washer line(mine was leaking) through there with wires right under your feet!
All lights on this blazer flicker slightly, headlights, dash, ect; the flicker goes away when the alternator has more load on it (ac, high beams, rear defroster on).
The flicker is wost with no acessories on and higer than idle RPM.
Do these symptoms indicate a bad alternator?
Thanks

blazes9395 · #2 10-20-2005, 10:32 PM

It can be a bad alternator, but it also could be a weak battery, like a bad cell in the battery too.

wolfox · #3 10-20-2005, 10:33 PM

Check your belt. A worn, slack belt will slip with engine vibes at lower RPM's when it physically bounces between all of the pulleys. Barring that, check your tensioner too, making sure the spring is still strong and the assembly glides smoothly. If it's not taking up the slack in the belt, again, low RPM's where the belt tends to bounce a little will make things flicker a bit. I suggest this before going into an Alternator because at worse, replacing the tensioner assembly and a belt together is much cheaper than the alternator replacement. Pushing on the side of the belt at it's longest run between pulleys is a good method of finding out if the belt's worn to it's limit or if the tensioner is frozen. If it can be deflected more than 1/2 an inch, time to get a new belt, as it may have stretched beyond what the tensioner can take-up. Getting the belt off, you have to play with the tensioner. If it fails to move smoothly, well, then you found the other culprit adding to your problem.

the87hyper · #4 10-21-2005, 12:05 PM

Try everything wolfox has mentioned. Once you know everything is tight and secure, get a voltmeter. Start the truck turn off all accessories. Connect voltmeter to the battery, you should have anywhere from 13V to 14.5 Volts. Next turn everything on that you can.. High beams, a/c on max, rear defroster, ect, and go check the volt meter again. You should have 13-14.5V. If you only have 12 volts at the battery with the truck running you have a charging problem. Good luck

BlazerLT · #5 10-21-2005, 01:16 PM

Sounds like a alternator with a dead spot in the windings.

Is the flicker have a rhythm?

bobterisch · #6 10-21-2005, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Sounds like a alternator with a dead spot in the windings.

Is the flicker have a rhythm?

Hi all,
Thanks for your relpies, the flicker has rhythm related to engine speed. I will try all your suggestions this weekend.

bobterisch · #7 10-24-2005, 08:37 PM

Thanks to everyone who replied to the alternator question. The flickering lights were caused by a bad alternator.

BlazerLT · #8 10-25-2005, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobterisch

Thanks to everyone who replied to the alternator question. The flickering lights were caused by a bad alternator.

Can I get a whoop whoop!

wolfox · #9 10-25-2005, 02:40 PM

BlazerLT's psychic auto service does its work again. How do you DO that?

BlazerLT · #10 10-25-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfox

BlazerLT's psychic auto service does its work again. How do you DO that?

Plenty of sex.

wolfox · #11 10-25-2005, 08:29 PM

Oh man, I can see it now - "Tantric Blazer Repair". It's the 70's all over again. Like wow, man.

BlazerLT · #12 10-25-2005, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfox

Oh man, I can see it now - "Tantric Blazer Repair". It's the 70's all over again. Like wow, man.

Hey, it works, .......and works.....and works......

wolfox · #13 10-25-2005, 08:42 PM

Between your technique, and Blazee's icon...we're in trouble. Deep trouble. *Ducks -n- covers*

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