2002 ws6 alt. meter drops when ac is on

[jlipomi3]

I recently purchased a 2002 T/A WS6. my alt. gauge drops down to around 8 volts whenever I put the ac or the defrosters on.replaced alternator twice and still doing it.should I beef it up to a 150 amp alternator.anybody else have this issu?. thanks

 

[melsg5]

is this only at idle or all the time regardless of engine speed? Did you confirm with another gauge that you are getting a true reading?

 

[jlipomi3]

at idle.I did not check with another gauge.I just know that it drops to around 8 volts and you can feel and here it it.sounds like its bogging down a bit.been "powerbreaking" a little at lights and that helps.what else could I check it with.Could it possibly be the blower motor?

 

[melsg5]

maybe the problem is the idle is dropping too low, what is the idle speed? do you have a check engine light on? what is the maintenace history of the car, do you know when it last had a tuneup?

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[jlipomi3]

I've owned it about 2 months.Well maintained.engine idles at about 5500-6000.Engine light is not on.Voltage drops when I'm idling only.As soon as I start to accelerate it goes back up to 13-14 volts.Someone told me this is normal as long as it doesnt stay low while driving.Just seems strange.

 

[melsg5]

i assume you mean 550 to 600, is this an automatic and is that the idle speed in drive?

 

[jlipomi3]

yes

 

[melsg5]

your idle speed is normal I would first check with an external gauge before doing anything further, you may not have a problem if the external gauge shows above 12V, otherwise you could check for a slipping belt or bad tensioner but it does go to normal above idle so the alternator maybe weak if that 8V is a true reading.

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[jlipomi3]

ok.will do.thanks for your help