[timandsam]

Ok, another issue :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

I got the valve springs installed finally. I started the car and the battery light came on. I checked voltage at the alternator...8.5v. If i give the throttle a little blip it will jump up to 13.6v, hover there for a while then come back down to 8.5v.

I jumped the voltage regulator and at idle it hovers right at 14v. As soon as i remove the screwdriver i am using to jump it with it falls right back down to 8.5v.

It is doing the same thing with a secone used alternator i had laying around.

Any ideas?

Thanks...again,
Tim

[NigelM]

Bad regulator or wiring.

[timandsam]

Does it sound possible that I have 2 alternators with bad voltage regulators? The battery seems fine and if I hold the throttle above idle the voltage stays at 13.6v.

[TurboRay]

Originally posted by timandsam:


Does it sound possible that I have 2 alternators with bad voltage regulators?

Is this an internally-regulated alternator - i.e., a 3G et al swap? Otherwise, doesn't an '85 Merk have an external regulator (??). :dunno:

C'ya - RAY

[motorhead_1]

What's the idle speed? If I recall the xr needs to see 1100 or 1300rpm to kick on the charge circuit

[timandsam]

Ray,it is an internal regulator.

Idle speed is about 1000rpm. If the charge circuit is off (below the 1100 rpm you are saying) 8.5v still seems a bit low, right? If i let it run at idle it actually slowly kills the battery and the battery light comes on.

[b-blown]

you don`t have underdrive pulleys on it do you ?

[Gary M.]

What does the battery do with the engine off? Check the terminal voltage, then add some light loads like parking and headlamps, see if the battery holds up around 13.5V with no loads, then will hold 12V with some light loads. If it doesn't, that may be your answer. If the battery is falling off dues to a weak cell or cells, it won't be able to supply enough field current to keep the alt output up.

[timandsam]

No underdrive pulleys.

With the engine off the battery has never been above like 12v ish. I will try putting some loads on it.

[timandsam]

Ok, so when the car is off, i turned the lights on and the battery voltage went down to 9v, i turned on a few accessories and got it to go down to 8v. I guess the battery is shot then.

Is it possible that this is my entire problem? I am going to pick up a new battery tomorrow.