Battery not charging at times.

[benajmin]

I have an 88 Integra, automatic. It has a brand new alternator and battery. Under normal city driving conditions when I come to a stop or when it shifts gears the lights flash on indicating that the battery is not being charged. When stopped in drive it idles at about 500rpms, if it goes much above that the lights turn off and everything seems to be fine. I've tried adjusting the tension on the alternator belt (both tighter and looser) with no luck. Any ideas?

[gouldie1903]

possibly the voltage regulator if the alternator is not internally regulated.

[UncleBob]

500 rpm's sounds awfully low. Are you judging that by the tach?

What brand is the new alternator? Some brands, its not uncommon at all to have defective alternators right out of the box

[bobss396]

Get a charging system check which will verify which component is giving you the problem. They load the syetem with the car running and can easily isolate a bad alternator or even if a new battery is defective.

Bob

[CraigFL]

Originally Posted by bobss396

Get a charging system check which will verify which component is giving you the problem. They load the syetem with the car running and can easily isolate a bad alternator or even if a new battery is defective.

Bob

Agree... You could have a bad diode that is causing a real low charge...

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by benajmin

I have an 88 Integra, automatic.

Which motor is in it?
It should be idling at 700rpm, 500 is far to low, and would explain why the charge light is coming on.