“I have installed a High Output Alternator and my car does the same thing” or “Is this High Output Alternator I purchased from Maniac Electric Motors causing ….[this problem or that problem]….”
We are often asked about problems that are or are not related to the charging system. We are posting the correspondence about these to assist others in search for the cause of their automotive issues.
nickcomvdub emails about concerns with the High Output Alternator for his Mitsubishi Lancer
nickcomvdub hi i purchased an alternator and put it in and when the engine is idling the lights are dim but when i hit the gas a little bit ny lights get real bright can you help me trouble shoot or do you have an answer to my problem? does it have anything to do with the pully, the one on the car is smaller then the one that is on the alternator i had got from you?
Christian Vazquez Do you have what the actual voltage is? If there was a smaller pulley on the original alternator then it needed to be switched previous to installation, that could have something to do with it. A weaker or cycled battery puts a tremendous load on the alternator and at idle speeds the effects would be more predominate.
nickcomvdub i just changed the pully, and im still having problems, when the car is idling it wants to die and the rpms flucuate up and down. also the lights get brighter when i hit the gas only when i rev it up not when im driving. do i have to get my computer reset or you know i have a value craft crapy cheep battery what do you think?
nickcomvdub i had sent you a message before,my rpms go up and down only when im in park, not in drive or reverse or while im driving it runs fine and it dont go up and down. is that from the battery which is a value craft cheep battery? a did order a optima red top battery and should get it monday or tuesday. have you heard of this problems before?
Christian Vazquez That is very strange. If it only happens in park and not while idling in drive. sounds like an electrical problem. I would definately put the best quality battery that you can in. A weak or poor battery is a huge load on the alternator. But while your transmission is in park some wire or component is causing a problem.
If you have a warranty claim on your alternator we will ship you a replacement along with a return service label for the defective one.
That is very epensive on our end and would like you to verify the problem before making a claim.
Thank You,
Christian
christian@maniacelectricmotors.com
nickcomvdub have you heard of this problem before? i didnt change my battery yet i should get it today or tomorrow, its a optima red top like you told me to get, have you seen or had problems like this with other customers? it seems to be good when i got the music up loud my lights dont dim anymore so it seems to be working, it deffenently idles higher than normal in drive but doesnt jump up and down. i dont know, im thinking it could be my battery, although i just got it like 6 mionth ago, or the alternator could be defective or is it something to do with the atlernator being an high output that i need to reset or set the computer by pluging one of those things in the computer in my car??????
Christian Vazquez No need to reset the computer because of the alternator. Our HO Alternators are more efficient, even at idle. I suspect some scenario like this… When your transmission is in the parked position, some wire on some circuit is barely shorting to another or barely grounding. This kind of draw in power will cause your issue. I have heard of problems during right hand turns, and during braking, etc. All due to pinched, shorted wires in circuits caused by motor/transmission position. Maybe even a malfunctioned transmission solenoid could be the culprit. With electrical problems ‘the sky is the limit’ You will definately need to find and fix the problem because ongoing heavy draws will over-draw and “burn-up” the alternator. Start by fully inspecting your power & ground wires. Hopefully it is somewhere obvious. It does not sound like an alternator problem at all.
Christian Vazquez Another thought. If you have done any engine compartment work previous to these symptoms, Retrace that work first. That would be the likely area for concern.
nickcomvdub could it be the battery that i have in there causing the problem? i will be puting in a optima red top?
Christian Vazquez possibly
nickcomvdub hi again i want to appoligize for all the confution, i had broke a hose that goes to my air intake and replaced it and know its fine sorry for the mishalf and all the emails, the alternator works fine. thank you
Christian Vazquez Great. Thanks for the update. That is good that it was something simple! Sometimes these problems are a nightmare.
nickcomvdub no thank you for being so under standing with all the help i received, thanks agian
