Alternator/Brushes
 

I was having some electrical issues recently and my voltmeter was hovering around the half way point while driving... Depending on what I had turned on (ie. lights, stereo, fan) my lights would dim and my stereo would shut off. After some searching I replaced my brushes and things have improved! However the problem doesn't appear to have totally disappeard. Most of the time it is charging good with the meter reading high but sometimes when stopped at a light the meter drops and again is just above the midway mark. When I start driving again the meter will sometimes start reading higher but other times it will stay slightly above half even when I turn lights, stereo and fan off. Next morning when I start it up its charging good again?

Is my alternator on its last legs or is there something else I can try??

Have your battery tested before you fool with the alternator any further. If it's good, you might have a short somewhere that's causing the voltage variances. If that's not the case, replace the alt. Actually, I'd replace the alt after testing the battery because there's nothing worse than trying to track down a short.

I agree, have the battery tested. Autozone or similar can also bench test your alternator for free, that is an option too.

Hey,

May also try cleaning the posts/connectors if they are dirty. Check the grounds to see that they arent loose/dirty. I'll look in the manual and see if anything else pops up.

Where abouts in Sask are you? I have a ton of family in Porcupine Plain, Melfort, Green Lake and so on.

Good luck.

Battery is brand new... I forgot to mention that was the first thing I tried. As a result the post/battery connection is clean.
Guess I should go get the alternator tested but I am pretty sure I know what the answer will be...

Babypig, I am in the Saskatoon area.

I have the manual in a pdf format document that i can send to you if you send me your e-mail. I'll send the alternator diagrams and any other related stuff.