Alternator question 2002 Z
02-05-2013, 12:59 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Texas Hill Country
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Alternator question 2002 Z
I have a bit less than 10k miles and car has been sitting for years but it is started once or twice a week. I put a new battery in a couple years ago and since then the amp gauge shows charging to the right of center. A charger with alt button on it says 64. Is that amps or what? Is that right. I am afraid to take the car somewhere since I am not sure what is going on. Starts fine and yes low miles says alt is fine probably but like I tell my wife the hoses, belt and some things like the alternator have more sitting idling miles on them so they are not really that new. I do not want to replace the alt if it is fine and by looking at it do not have a clue how to access it and even if I can will it come out the bottom without taking more stuff off? Thanks guys!
02-08-2013, 02:22 PM
#2
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Re: Alternator question 2002 Z
What "amp gauge" show it charging to the right of center? Do you mean an amp meter on the charger? There's no amp meter in the dash. Does the gauge have numbers on it? We have no way to tell that the range of the gauge is.
Do you charge the battery periodically, or continuously? What kind of charger are you using? Is it something like a "Battery Tender" to maintain the battery at the ideal state of charge for long term storage? You indicate there is something related to a button on the charger that indicates "64". What are the units of measurement for the 64?
Do you charge the battery periodically, or continuously? What kind of charger are you using? Is it something like a "Battery Tender" to maintain the battery at the ideal state of charge for long term storage? You indicate there is something related to a button on the charger that indicates "64". What are the units of measurement for the 64?
02-09-2013, 10:21 AM
#3
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Re: Alternator question 2002 Z
It has 8-13-18 on the gauge and when running it sits at about 15 to 16. 13 is in the center. All my other GM stuff has always stayed at center usually 14 all the time unless something is wrong. I would think the battery is bad and it has to charge over the norm to compensate but the battery shows fine. It is a craftsman battery charger with 3 settings and when I put it on check alternator it shows 64 on the screen and never changes. Also it did this with the last battery as well if memory serves me correctly.
02-09-2013, 05:55 PM
#4
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Re: Alternator question 2002 Z
The dash gauge shows VOLTS.
When you first start the engine the voltage regulator boosts the volts to restore the full charge to the battery. The starter consumes a lot of power and the battery may also have lost charge from sitting. As the engines runs for a while the voltage should drop down to 13.5 V or som
When you first start the engine the voltage regulator boosts the volts to restore the full charge to the battery. The starter consumes a lot of power and the battery may also have lost charge from sitting. As the engines runs for a while the voltage should drop down to 13.5 V or som
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