[ekaisinger]

1982 coupe.
OK guys what should I look for. The voltage meter and the GEN light come on while driving, The light goes from dim to bright and flashes and back to dim as the RPM's go up and down with the engine speed. The volt meter does the same it reads around 15 to 16 volts and goes up with engine RPM. The voltage with a VOM is 12 to 13 volts with the engine running, the alternator shows to be working as it should, it gives a constant 14 volts at all engine speeds an alternator check shows the unit to be working correctly. everything thing else is working as it should. is the gage bad? then why is the GEN light coming on, could the voltage regulator be bad?

 

[ekaisinger]

Thanks it has 55 k miles I will recheck that and wiggle it around a little but my first check shows it to be good. The charging is fine as the gagae shows an over charge but the voltage on a VOM does not agree with the gage as it is a steady 12 to 13 volts. The gage goes from around 13 volts to almost 18 as the RPM goes up, it is almost working like the Tach does. Then the GEN light is dim but as the RPM goes up the light gets brighter then starts to flash as the gage shown just under 18 volts. craziest thing I have ever seen. I will recheck that connector thanks.

 

[vettex2]

why am I thinking bad diodes?

 

[[email protected]]

voltage regulator

 

[vettex2]

you guys are probably right
I just remember seeing bad diodes doing something similar

 

[toobroketoretire]

When a diode fails the voltage remains normal but the output is cut 33-1/3%.

 

[Hotrod]

The Gen light illuminates when the current flow leaving the battery is greater than the current flow entering the battery. In other words, the Alternator cannot match the system load. So, is the alternator bad or do you have a large load on the system (like a short)? My guess and this is just a guess, is your headlights are shorted out and the thermal circuit breaker keeps tripping , causing your gen light to flash. :seeya:

 

[ekaisinger]

OK Guys it was the voltage regulator. got the part today and it works like a champ. Thanks to all for your suggestions, and to Steve W for all the help. Thanks

 

[[email protected]]

OK Guys it was the voltage regulator. got the part today and it works like a champ. Thanks to all for your suggestions, and to Steve W for all the help. Thanks

now , where did I hear that it was the voltage regulator? hmmmm......just kidding, glad you got it working.. we are all here to help