So today I brought my van to Power House Alternators to have my low voltage problem checked out. I've only been getting 13.36 at all times no matter the RPM. Load or no load.

They tested it and found that it's only putting out about 30 amps @ most. This is a 200 amp alt. So he had me remove it from the van and when they bench tested it .... 14.36v right away. Even @ 147 amps it still made 13.68 volts.... WTF???

So now that I know the Alt is good, they told me that my vans computer must be limiting the voltage but could not answer why. He said it might not like the amperage.

Has anyone ever run into something like this? Where the computer is limiting the charge for some unknown reason??? This is driving me nuts. What can I do to get to 14v without blowing something electrical in the van?

PLEASE HELP, willing to try just about anything!

Thanks,
Paul

__________________
Pioneer, Kicker Resolution, RF, JBL(Crown ), One 15" TFOne & Power House with a little princess auto...
145db uncertified (for now) <- Click for video

Team Minivan

externally regulated?

Regulator is internal but I'm told it's controlled by the vans computer. When he tested it, it worked perfectly as I want it to in my van ....

it is controlled by ur computer, my old grand marquis charged at around 15v factory. call up the peopel at a ford dealership and ask them, maybe ur computers pooched or something.

the dealership should know whats up, since its a ford and always broke, they see problems often...gl dude.

and i think klown meant to get an externally regulated one if all else fails

I think I have the same prob with my factory Alt (Dodge Caravan), the voltage can shift from 12.8 to 14.5 (at any rpm). I always had dimming issue (big3 done) and was not able to pinpoint. Ill look tonight at the schematics of my charging system to see if i can fix this...

lol, well I just went outside to test. As soon as I started it I had 13.94 woohoo, then after running time alignment for a couple minutes (engine off) and restarted the van ..... 13.34 volts WTF!!

What do I have to do to go externally regulated? I know buy an external regulator but how do they integrate into the charging system? Will the added voltage effect any OEM electrical? There must be a reason why the van regulates the voltage that low....

alternator only produces what is required. it wont produce 200 amps at all times.

you need to check the voltage when the system is turned up and you also need to check the output of the alternator when the system is playing, not when the car is simply idiling.

or you might simply need a big 3 done.

and yes, not all cars can have aftermarket alternators like yours. internal voltage regulator controlled by the car's computer is what renders it useless.

The alt is not the problem and I do have big 3 done properly.

When I reset my battery neg for a minute then started. I got 14.36 @ idle. 14.43 @ 3000 rpm. My problem seems to be that my computer is limiting the voltage. This was the first time I've seen 14.4v then again it's the first time I checked it right after basically "resetting" my van by removing the battery posts. I've got it still running right now. I'm going to keep checking it. Then after a bit I'll shut it off for a little and then start it again and see what happens.

When I got back from Power House it was at 13.9 then it went down to 13.36 again. There has to be a way for me to stop the computer from knocking off that extra volt.

I REEEEAAAALLY WANT 14.4V. lol

__________________
Pioneer, Kicker Resolution, RF, JBL(Crown ), One 15" TFOne & Power House with a little princess auto...
145db uncertified (for now) <- Click for video

Team Minivan

Well, checked it when I went back out .... 14.34, shut it off for a minute, restarted 14.34, shut it off for 3 minutes turned off radio 14.78v HOLY CRAP!! I hope it stays there!! I wonder if it goes over 15v the system will automatically lower it one volt to 13.34????

Stay tuned for more updates .... Right know I'd love for it to stay right where it is. Only drops to 13.69 at full tilt heavy bass right now.

if you can manage.....get a GM alternator with a field wire, then connect it to an external alternator