Spectrum Posted March 14, 2011 Report Posted March 14, 2011 1997 Lumina LTZ, 3.1L The voltage light has been coming on when I come to a stop at lights and am idling. It goes away as I accelerate away. Battery was tested, replaced. Alternator is 2 years old and tested fine. No problems with lights dimming or car acting like it's about to die. Cold idle is 1100ish and warn idle is about 800-900. Stock stereo. Any ideas? Quote
Spectrum Posted March 14, 2011 Author Report Posted March 14, 2011 Oh and new battery should be fully charged by now; I drove 500 highway miles yesterday. Quote
dodgethis Posted March 14, 2011 Report Posted March 14, 2011 Oh and new battery should be fully charged by now; I drove 500 highway miles yesterday. Was the light still on, after the fact? Quote
3pt1lumina Posted March 14, 2011 Report Posted March 14, 2011 Sounds like a voltage regulator in the alternator may be going, that or a bad connection somewhere. Quote
Spectrum Posted March 14, 2011 Author Report Posted March 14, 2011 Light came on when I took an offramp and stopped at a light yesterday. Came on this morning too. Any way to test the voltage regulator or is that within the alternator? Quote
RobertISaar Posted March 14, 2011 Report Posted March 14, 2011 yeah, the regulator is internal, GM hasn't made an externally regulated alt for quite some time.... sounds to me like the alt just can't keep up with whatever draws are present at low RPM.... how exactly was the alt tested? Quote
Venom Posted March 14, 2011 Report Posted March 14, 2011 How is the belt and tensioner? Could be a slipping belt at idle. Other than that you need to start probing with a good DVOM. Quote
BXX Posted March 14, 2011 Report Posted March 14, 2011 Sounds like just a slightly loose connection. Start with the most obvious, the damn batter bolts. I swear sidepost is retarded.. Quote
Spectrum Posted March 15, 2011 Author Report Posted March 15, 2011 Alt was just tested at autozone using the battery terminal with car running. Can't imagine this is the connections, as they were solid when the new battery was installed. Is checking the belts and tensioner as easy as just checking for slack on them with the car off? I'm admittedly not mechanically inclined; all I can do is air filters, wiper blades and bulbs... Quote
dodgethis Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 When is the last time the belt has been replaced? If it looks alright it could be that the tensonier could be bad. Quote
jman093 Posted March 19, 2011 Report Posted March 19, 2011 That jump start post is another area I've seen a bad connection on and cause issues. Quote
Spectrum Posted April 9, 2011 Author Report Posted April 9, 2011 So belt and tensioner look fine, taut, no tears or cracking. I don't know what connections to check other than the battery side posts and the aux terminal. I found a guy on craigslist to replace the alternator, belt and belt tensioner for $40, so I guess that'll be my next step. Getting a Dayco poly-rib belt, Dayco tensioner and a new Remy 105amp alternator from Advance Auto. If I'm replacing the alternator, might as well do the belt and tensioner while I'm at it right? Quote
RobertISaar Posted April 9, 2011 Report Posted April 9, 2011 can't hurt. some of the aftermarket tensioners are crap though, i just can't remember which. Quote
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