Alternator Issue on a 2002(Please Help)

[Wildkardde]

Lately my car has been having a charging issue, it does it randomly on and off, well When your at idle my lights dim on and off like if they dont get enough voltage, but car runs fine at the time. Then i drive it the battery light will come on and ill look at the voltage gauge and its reading that its overcharging? But it goes away when i add load to it like headlights or something.

I hooked up my programmer to it and when this happens it goes from 13.5-6v to 14.3-5v and the battery light flashes or stays on but after a few minutes itll go away and not do it again for a while...I figured i should just replace it because i know that the voltage regulator on them is on the alternator and i dont think they sell it seperate, but im pretty sure its that i could be wrong though, any suggestions?

[sticks905.0]

get it tested at the autoparts store be fore you buy a new one. does it stall and back fire when you start it

[thatdavidkid]

Do you have any cam sensor codes pending? That is a tell tale sign of bad diodes, very common on these, that would be cause to replace it. Ask autozone to do a charging system check.

[scorpion]

When the diode goes out, yes the cam light will come on, but will it also make it run funny.. My diode is open, and the tps and cam sensor #'s came up on the programmer, and the car idles like the timing is off, and the gas mileage went to crap..

[blk01gt]

diodes dont buy a new one have urs rebuilt cheaper very much cheaper i got mine done for 98.00 at pearland alt on telephone rd

[Wildkardde]

When the diode goes out, yes the cam light will come on, but will it also make it run funny.. My diode is open, and the tps and cam sensor #'s came up on the programmer, and the car idles like the timing is off, and the gas mileage went to crap..

thats exactly what happend my mileage went to crap and car runs crappy, thanks for the advice guys, i forget this thread was even open cause ive been so busy lol

[WarHorse]

Do you have any cam sensor codes pending? That is a tell tale sign of bad diodes, very common on these, that would be cause to replace it. Ask autozone to do a charging system check.

I have cam sensor codes, car starts after second try and have been getting the same battery light, but only when the headlights are turned on. Guess I'll be getting my charging system checked too.

[Wildkardde]

i dont have any codes though, so it has to be the alternator