Strange Electrical Fault in VTII Berlina

[Enerjex]

Hi all,

Today driving home from lunch my 2000 VTII Berlina started doing some funny stuff. Basically what it does is a few seconds after startup the battery light starts flickering it's way on, then if I give it a rev the battery light goes off for a second only, abs light comes on and the tacho, speedo, temp, fuel guages and trip meters (odometer stays on) all fail. The stereo system stays on but intermittently loses sound. The abs light and battery light stay on also, the car doesn't lose ignition. I did some testing and the battery seemed good (showing about 12.3 volts with car off), but when the car was on it showed 12.2 volts. I tested again at the output of the alternator and got the same reading so I went and got a changeover. This one appears to be working at around 17 volts (this worries me a bit), but that aside for now, the same problem with the dash is evident. I also removed the alpine stereo wiring loom and disconnected the constant 12v to the boot to make sure this wasn't the cause. Any ideas of what it could be? Is it common? Are there any specific tests I can do to help isolate it?

Cheers,

Karl

[accentstencil]

It sounds like you could have a bad earth or bad connection at the battery. Also check connections at the alternator.

[brad_m_is]

if ur alternator is outputting 17v thats way to high and the dash will turn off to prevent damage should only be around 14volts. the reg on the back of the alternator is probly burnt out.

[Enerjex]

Thanks for the help guys. Yes I must say I shut it off pretty bloody quick when I saw 17volts!!! This was the 2nd dud alternator I'd gotten from the wrecker so I decided to cut my losses and buy a new regulator for this one, instead of going back a 3rd time to swap it over. 13.82 volts now and the dash is working perfectly!!!

Great success!