Charging System Dramas

[fil]

My car like most starions has a mind of its own, my current dilema is when i start the car most of the time the alternator wont charge at all and if i indicate it wont flash it will simply stay on. If i give the engine some revs it will charge at 13.3 for the rest of the trip regardless wether or not im at idle.
Sometimes reving it wont help and it wont charge at all.
Im leaning towards a dodgy regulator but the alt was just changed and came out of a working car.
Alt is clean and i have no ps pump above it.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
:beer

[Dr-X]

I dont know if it's relevant, but have you seen this thread?
http://austarion.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3782

[fil]

yer i have, checked the wire, and it looked good but replaced it anyway.

[sirusdash]

Two things U need to chk which has happened to me,
First=> U have three connections on the back of the Alt. they might be labeled (B+, L , R)
The "B+" is the big terminal with a screw thingy on it, normally has a white cable going to it. Check to see if this is nice and tight on the connection, it also has a fuse link at the other end by the Battery also chk the condition of this. the other option also is to check the voltage at the battery and check the voltage at the connection/screw thingy on the Alt. If these are different u poss have a faulty Alt wiring loom and it needs replacing. U can also use a temp cable to make sure of your findings but make sure it can carry 60A or more.

Second=> the connections on the back of the Alt which are poss Labeled (L & R) these connections are normally in a block connection (two pins sticking out) which has a plug going into it but only one wire on one of the pins ( normally the R) this circuit is connected to the power supply for the rev lights, so if your fuse has gone inside for the rev lights it will cause a problem. When the car is going this connection should have +12v going thru it, if it doenst u have a problem and this will cause your Alt not to charge very good. If the connections is on the other pin ("L") this has to be connected to a resistor or Lamp and again with a + voltage but reduced (not 12V) if you have a charge lamp, check that it is going. Because if it's not then this will also cause u a problem also

so u under stand the R=resistor connection (resistor built in Alt) which means 12v can be connected directly up. L=lamp connection only or 12v with the correct resistor inline
but only one of these connections can be used at once not both

any more probs or help u need drop me an email trevero@ihug.co.nz

[fil]

Sirusdash you are a champ, i checked the reverse lights fuse and sure thing it fixed the problem.
As an added bonus i now have reverse lights
Cheers :beer

[SpidersWeb]

Good to hear you got it sorted fil :)

On another note, can somebody explain to me why the relationship with the reverse lights and alternator exists? I understand B+ and L, just R boggles my mind.

Please? My brain hurts :(

[sirusdash]

well the rev lights really dont have much to do with the Alt. but the main power supply for these lights, Mits had decided to also feed it to the Alt "R" circuit. where as normally other makes of cars are feed thru the Ign. circuit . Its just another way of making sure it got a 12v circuit feeding back to it thru a fuse. As long as the "R" connection has a 12V feed when the car is running with a fuse, it does matter where it comes from
Hope u under stand that lot lol
Cheers

[SpidersWeb]

Ohhh thanks

Yeah I got it. Its using the connection to the reverse lights to detect the voltage level. Cheers :)