Question About Alt/regulator/volts

Rosedog · February 23, 2008

I realize I should have posted my original question here now.

The other night I noticed, on the freeway, when my engine had a load (3rd) on it my volt gauge dropped below 14volts but when it went back into drive the volts went back to normal.

Then yesterday I put into 3rd when accelerating on the freeway and I watched my volts drop down to 12 but once again when it went back into drive the volts went back to normal.

I stopped by Schucks and had my Alt tested. With the truck idling I was told everything was normal but then when I was told to put a load on it (lights, heater, stereo and to put the tach at 2 rpm) it then gave an error saying there was a "ripple" in the charging system. It was explained to me that the Alt was pulsing and that my regulator was most likely bad.

On my way home from Schucks when I was at a red light I was watching my volt gauge again and I noticed it would drop a tick and then come back and then do it over again.

I have already had my Alt replaced by the dealer a few months ago so I called and will be bringing it in on Monday.

I've never heard of that term before (ripple), is that an actual term? It did kinda start to make sense though, I had noticed would get in my truck at night my dome light would pulse almost really fast (not on/off but more like bright/dim/bright/dim/bright).

Could this be something else like the battery?

Rosedog · February 26, 2008

Well I got my truck back from the dealer. I was told that they couldn't find the problem, which makes me think that they didn't attempt to (I told them how to find the problem and I know that works because it did everyday till I brought it there).

With all that said and done they did swap the Alt. out anyways since it under its parts warranty. I took it out ran it through the lower gears with higher than normal RPM's and the volts stayed the same not coming down.

Still got no answer on the term "ripple" though.

xtrempickup · February 26, 2008

Well I got my truck back from the dealer. I was told that they couldn't find the problem, which makes me think that they didn't attempt to (I told them how to find the problem and I know that works because it did everyday till I brought it there).

With all that said and done they did swap the Alt. out anyways since it under its parts warranty. I took it out ran it through the lower gears with higher than normal RPM's and the volts stayed the same not coming down.

Still got no answer on the term "ripple" though.

I thought Ripple was a type of alochol, cause i always read that term in midwestern type of movies and it related to something they were drinking