Bentley wrong on alternator diagnosis???

[brian_wagner at sbcglobal.net (Brian Wagner)]

the way it is discharging when accessories are on, I will say it is the alt.. Just pick up a reman unit I got one at autozone (yes autozone) for 50 or 60 and it has held up for 8 months. That and it comes with a Lifetime Warranty.
 
Brian

Phil Kerschner <PBKScirocco@netscape.net> wrote:
I suspect my 90A alternator is going south. So I took a look at the 
multimeter test located at section/page 13-11 "Testing Alternator and 
Regulator". The test is run at 3K RPM and battery voltage checked first 
without and then with electrical loads (lights & fan).

It states "a reading that is the same as the first (without load) most 
likely indicates a faulty regulator. A reading that is lower most 
likely indicates a faulty alternator."

Is it just me or does this seems backwards? I would assume if the 
voltage dips up and down with loads applied/cancelled, then it would be 
the regulator??

For example, when I turn on the headlights at some point the voltmeter 
gauge reading will dip down below 12v, sometimes as low as 11.2v So 
over the weekend I cleaned all my grounds and checked the regulator 
(brushes nice and long). I picked up about .5v - .7v that way but it 
still is below 12.5v when charging. When I apply turn signals the 
voltmeter gauge dips up and down quite furiously. I don't recall this 
happening previously.

So I am concerned as to whether it's the regulator or alternator.

-Phil


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