1989 Chevrolet S-10 Repair Question
Topics covered: Battery, Alternator, Abs.
Mileage: 167,000 miles.
Mileage: 167,000 miles.
Asked on June 17, 2012
Alternator problem
When i plug my regulator switch int o the alternator it squeeks and gets hot if i unplug it it will do fine what do i do it wont charge the battery and it's a new alternator
Answer
Replied on June 17, 2012
First check the belt to be sure it's tight. If it's slipping, the pulley will get hot. Next, have the new generator tested on the truck with a professional load tester. If "ripple" is very high and all you can get is one third of its rated capacity, it has a bad diode. That is a common repeat failure that can be avoided by replacing your perfectly good battery at the same time. These generators develop a lot of nasty voltage spikes that can destroy the internal voltage regulator and diodes. As the battery ages, it loses its ability to dampen and absorb those spikes. That should not be a problem if your battery is less than about two years old.