alternator + charging q

[Jit]

hi

If i was sitting in traffic on idle with say the heaters on 3, the wipers on and the headlights on, would my alternator be charging the battery or not?

[rx7veilside]

yes alternator /batt voltage wld prob have been about 13.7v at that point depending also on your stereo..on idle with nothing on and driving mine is a good 14v and on idle about 13.7/13.8 with lots on

[Jit]

Thats wierd...i was sitting in birmingham in traffic for 1 hour and just as I came out of the traffic, the charging light came on...but if i kept the engine revs up, it would go out and i managed to drive all the way home  wihout the light coming on again...

anyone got any ideas if the alternator is shot? it was supposedly just rebuilt!

[rx7veilside]

light will only come on if car starts to stall or there is a fault

[Jit]

wierd LOL!  i dont understand....when i went to buy the car, the alternator light came on about 15 miles away from the guys house and it got us back easily and the batt was still showing 13.4 v
As you revved the car, the light would dim and slowly go out if you revved it fast enough..
Its wierd cos on the way back from brum, aprt from that bit where i was leaving the traffic, it never came on anywhere....
oh well ill see how it goes down to super7 today...always got the old AA i spose