Nonaof4 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I have a 91 Loyale that I drove off the showroom floor 23 years ago. Last week my voltage meter dipped for a short time and since then it has been spiking way up, then normal, then way up. Is my alternator going out or could it be something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Alternator goin out most likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonaof4 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Thanks, that is what I am thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) Im thinking that so far, two of my Subes as they hit age 23 had their fusible links corrode away and crash causing alarming volt spikes/surges that killed my car - not the ECU though, smoked all sorts of circuits under the dash, killed warning lights, my auto 4WD selector for when wipers.kickdown & braking circuit function, fried my hazrds bulbs when I hit the hazards, fried my roof light when I opened door. The corrode away did not kill things, it was the connect/disconnect of the FL that caused alt to spike up. Check FLs, can even replace with more modern plastic box units that slide in. More info here >> http://www.ausubaru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18205&highlight=fusible+links Edited January 16, 2014 by jono Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Since the alternator supplies the power to keep the battery charged up and electrical items running problems like this are usually always related to the alternator. Sometimes the internal voltage regulator can be an issue when voltage spikes up over the normal range. Bad output diodes can also be a problem and cause excessive AC ripple voltage which can cause strange things to happen, like wipers turning on when they shouldn't be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonaof4 Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 Uh Oh, you guys are getting me worried, especially jono - sounds like this could get very expensive. I do appreciate the input and possibilities, haven't had a chance to check anything out further, will do so this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Just replacing the alternator, and the battery if it is fairly old, should most likely fix you up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l75eya Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Agreed. Not time to worry yet. Replace as mentioned above and if, after replacing those things, you're still having trouble, *then* I'd worry a little. So far so good though. Keep us posted! Nice to hear you've had your car since new, is it up in the member's rides section at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Uh Oh, you guys are getting me worried, especially jono - sounds like this could get very expensive. No I think you missed his point. Fusible links are cheap and easy to replace.....and even update to newer better type SlowBlow Fuses.... Doing that might help save you money replacing electrical units later. Checking on the condition of fusible links is definately the first thing to check Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thekauz Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) Im having the same type problem, my voltage meter is always at the top of the range (18 volts) while driving and comes down to normal voltage at idle. Any suggestions? its in a 1991 Loyale, non-4WD Edited January 20, 2014 by thekauz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Replace the bad alternator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 If the voltage spikes continue or become more prolonged, it risks burnign out components or boiling over the battery thus ruining it. The rule is a bad alternator will kill a good battery, and a bad battery will kill agood alternator. check the output lead on the alternator terminal as it can become corroed or brittle causing an abnormal resistance causing more draw on the alternator. Inspect the length of this white cable back to the battery terminal for broken insulation or corrosion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
82GLWag Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 While driving home today my voltage was reading low. 8-10. What should I check out first to figure it out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Check the output voltage of the alternator and see what it is. If the voltage is low there then chances are the alternator is the problem. If the output voltage is good then check the voltage across the battery posts. If that is low then there is either a blown fuse or a bad connection the alternator output lead. If the voltage is good then check the voltage getting to the fuses in the panel under the hood. If they are low then there is a bad connection between the battery and the panel. Check the smaller wire between the battery and the panel for a problem. It may be a good idea to clean the battery connections also at this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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