Alrighty so im gonna explain this as best i can...when i first start the car...hot or cold, according to the voltage meter thats attached directly to the output of the alt. it reads about 11volts, after a lil reving and praying it comes up to around 13-14volts...perfect right?...untill you turn anything on...headlights, running lights, fog lights, driving lights, brake lights, turn signals, wipers, blowermotor or anything with a strong draw, then it drops voltage down to about 11 volts and the alt starts smelling like its working waaay to hard and the belts start slipping. here is the catch, if you keep the RPMs up above 2K its fine.. its only when it drops to idle or anything below 2k. i have gone thru 2 alt. all did the same thing, i checked as much as i could with all the wiring to the lights and everything else and there is no short that i can find. so my question is: is there a relay or controll that tells the alt. what to do at certain RPMs? or anything like that at all? its a 83 242turbo with internal regulator in the alt....any ideas would be great...cuz im about ready to send it in and pay lots o money that i dont really want to. thanks guys

 

You have put 2 aftermarket Alt's on?
Make sure you have a good ground wire from the Alt. to the Engine.

 

Both alt. where totaly OEM replacement 55amp or what ever stock is.

 

WOW
Also make sure the trigger wire isn't shorting out on the engine.

 

im thinking thats it...i just gotta find the short...when it quits raining...which isnt gonna help. thanks for the help

 

Keep me posted on the progress.