1991 Chevrolet K1500, 4.3 V6. Battery gauge drops low, “Check Guages” illuminates, and lights dim/flicker. It’s intermittent but regular. Thinking diode sticking in the alternator. Your thoughts?
Alternator or ground issue?
- Thread starter otis24
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Could also be a brush that's worn out. Replacement should be cheap and easy! Here's one for $34.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
If alternator is easy to access , you can drive it to NAPA or Autozone. If they have any workers / techs who are worth a ****ed they will offer and gladly check your battery and alternator without removing them. If bad , I would replace with a new or rebuilt from NAPA or Auto Zone. NAPA parts preferred by me and every mechanic or dealer tech I know. Cross fingers and hope that is it. Best thing you can do before you may be forced to search for bad grounds. I have never had to bring a part back for warranty replacement to NAPA. Sometimes you can even get great parts at a fair price from a dealership if you check around. Good luck to you. (also do exactly what 64bawagon shared about the cables FIRST.) lots o folks have terminals covered and have no idea what shape they in. A little preventive / predictive maintenance save lots of headaches and pains in the rear when it comes to your 2nd most costly investment. Lots of luck to you.
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When mine said check gauges it was low oil pressure and a catastrophe best of luck
It was the battery cables
A diode does not stick. It's a one way valve for electrical current flow. When broken it's either open or shorted (flows either way). Usually when it breaks it's normally open.
There are 6 diodes in the 3 phase bridge. An oscilloscope will tell if the alternator is not putting out clean electricity. The alternator rebuild shops will have an oscilloscope. AutoZone or AAP associates will not know what an oscilloscope is.
There are 6 diodes in the 3 phase bridge. An oscilloscope will tell if the alternator is not putting out clean electricity. The alternator rebuild shops will have an oscilloscope. AutoZone or AAP associates will not know what an oscilloscope is.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
or how to say ocilloscope I guess........
So will a DMM set to AC volts.
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