Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:48:15 -0500
From: "JON KLIGERMAN" <[email protected]>
Subject: [alfa] '82 Spider Alternator Warning Light
A general question about the alternator warning, or 'idiot,' light in my '82
Spider. | really have not paid very much attention to it, but I have noticed
lately that it will glow, at night, if both the headlights and the windshield
wipers are on. It will glow much brighter, close to full brightness, if in
addition to the headlights and wipers, I then turn on the heater blower. Is
this normal? Am I looking at a weak alternator and/or voltage regulator?
Does anybody know? Is there a way of testing things, I do have a VOM?
Thanks!
Jon Kligerman
1982 Spider Veloce
Well, my '82 has done that since new, but really if you are
concerned, first check the connections at the grounds (
battery/tranny to chassis/cam cover to block/main ground near the
fusebox, tranny to chassis ), check the hot connection on the drivers
side ( USA ) inside fender, clean battery posts, etc. While running,
check the voltage at the battery - should hit 14V and change
somewhere north of 2500-3000RPM, but drop to some lower number at
idle but not 10 or 11 as the battery would be suspect - this all
assumes a known good/charged battery.
If it's the original alternator, it has a replaceable voltage
regulator on the back side.
Also may be time for an AL16X Bosch ( remanufactured ~$140 to $240
out on the internets ) alternator - has 10A more at 65A, and fits
Milanos as well, or rebuild your own at your local electrical
rebuilder...
--
jeff clark
82 Spider Veloce
99 BMW R1100S
[email protected]
--
to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
