2001 honda passport/redeo alternator?

[SPIKER]

hi all:

looking for help on 2001 honda Passport 3.2v6 The battery 18mo old died, replaced battery & runs ok but seems to have a flickering in the lights and voltages is varying 13.9v to 14.3volts causes the lights to flicker and short life. can pull battery terminal when running and runs OK seems to have alternator power there just not consistent.

This is my womans ride and I dont run it much if at all and dont have any books on it. picked up one that was worthless book on it so I took that back.
anyone know a good test method to find out if the alternator or the voltage regulator is at issue?

thanks
mark

 

[Soundguy]

tip: quit pulling bat post off while running.. it's the 2nd fastest way i know to KILL an alternator and damage anything in the car that is sensitive to over voltage.

( fastest way i know to kill an alt is hook it up to incorrect battery polarity ).

soundguy

 

[techman]

Regulator is built into the alternators today. They are generally a replaceable item, but for a little extra I would trow in a new rebuilt alternator from the auto supply. You get new brushes, bearings, etc for about $100

paul

 

[Car Doc]

It sounds like bad diodes or a bad regulator which both require alt replacement the test I use for checking them is an automotive lab scope.

I can actually see the current as waves and see bad diodes but a simpler way if you have a volt/ohm meter that reads ac volts is simply put the meter on ac and put it across the battery terminals.

Run all the accessory's lights heater fan on high etc and run the engine about 1500-2000 rpm and usually less than .09v ac (90mv) is ok any more than is a bad alt. hth

The ac current will cause all sorts of drive ability problems also like stalling erratic idle speed check engine lite on. Its a problem only real good techs even look for otherwise its unheard of in most shops.

 

[SPIKER]

Thanks guys, I'll get the AC check done on there in AM.



Mark

 

[SPIKER]

hey car doc:

looks like it probably is the alt then according to your post. I get about 30 volts AC on it 1500rpm & all acc on. do you happen to know if there are any places selling rebuild kits for alternators? used to be ablt to pick um up at most retailers for parts not anymore. they want 120 for alt new seems like 5 times what I paid for my last NEW alt and 10 times what I paid for last alt rebuild kit...

thanks

mark

 

[Soundguy]

good luck. i can remember when rebuild kits used to be hung on the walls for many popular alt brands.. but that's been at least 20ys ago if not more..

soundguy

 

[Car Doc]

hey car doc:

looks like it probably is the alt then according to your post. I get about 30 volts AC on it 1500rpm & all acc on. do you happen to know if there are any places selling rebuild kits for alternators? used to be ablt to pick um up at most retailers for parts not anymore. they want 120 for alt new seems like 5 times what I paid for my last NEW alt and 10 times what I paid for last alt rebuild kit...

thanks

mark

Ouch 30v AC that will mess computerized things up! Yup its a bad alt thats the rectifier gone south whether you can find parts is something I cant answer they are not like the old GM alts where brushes a diode trio and a regulator was $25. good luck