Altenator probs.

[Scarrell]

well my brother called me today and was tellin me how his alt is acting up... he says its Brand new... so i dont know... but i typed out what he said so. if anyone can help, here you go.:


"when plugged everything is normal and the truck will start then die, if alt. is unplugged with lights and defrost on it will run with normal, if they are off it dies, if you plug the alt on it dies immediately..... the alt is brand new...."


any ideas? also the truck is a 2.5 liter S-10...1988 model.

posted it at the S-10 forum... maybe the Voltage Regulator?

[William from NOLA]

Is there a regulator built onto the new alt or is it separate?

What made him buy a new one? Was it a direct replacement?

[Scarrell]

anyone else?

[Ryan from Ohio]

Ive read it like 5 times between yesterday and today and it still does not make sense...

Take it to an alternator/electrical shop. Hes got issues!

[MobileAudio219]

Dude try retyping that a little clearer.... :thumbsup

[JeremyC]

William, almost all GM alts have the converter regulator built in, and I know for a fact the S10s due too.

Scarrell, have your brother disconect everything from the alt and take an OHM meter and shoot between the output post, and the chassi of the alt. I almost bet you he will have continuity. Sounds like the alt is shorting to ground somehow and it is putting to great a strain on the electrical system causing the truck to die. I would take the alt back as soon as possiable, and do not take the chance of running the truck with it connected.