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When I bought the 98 in march it had a new alternator and voltage regulator. About a month ago in pouring rain I had to jump start the car after driving it approximately 200 miles in 3 days. Since then the car has needed to be jump started several times. I was told by AAA the alternator was putting out 13 volts and low amps and the battery was fine. I want to upgrade from the stock 42 amp alternator. Could the voltage regulator be causing the issues. The car does have climatron, rear window defogger and most other power options. I do not plan on adding any additional equipment. Would 55 amp be a good upgrade. I want direct fit.
You can always have the alternator double checked at your local auto parts store. I've gotten pretty lousy service from AAA. Also, it might be a good idea to use a mechanic's stethoscope and listen to the bearing in your alternator.
I want to upgrade from the stock 42 amp alternator.
It's important to remember that these cars were not poorly designed originally. Your car undoubtedly started and ran just fine when it was new using the original, 42-amp alternator. If the car had needed a larger alternator, Olds would have made that standard equipment.
The solution here is not to put in a larger alternator because that's a band-aid approach that masks the problem without solving it, and a larger alternator may not solve the problem, anyway. You need to determine why the battery is not holding a charge and fix that problem. It could be the battery, the voltage regulator, the alternator, or perhaps something else. You said that a new alternator and regulator were installed last March. But that doesn't mean that they couldn't be defective. You've had the battery checked. How about having these other components checked?
Originally Posted by seanbear
The car does have climatron
I believe it's called "Comfortron."
Last edited by jaunty75; Oct 20, 2023 at 12:29 PM.
it's important to remember that these cars were not poorly designed originally. Your car undoubtedly started and ran just fine when it was new using the original, 42-amp alternator. If the car had needed a larger alternator, olds would have made that standard equipment.
The solution here is not to put in a larger alternator because that's a band-aid approach the masks the problem without solving it, and a larger alternator may not solve the problem, anyway. You need to determine why the battery is not holding a charge and fix that problem. It could be the battery, the voltage regulator, the alternator, or perhaps something else. You said that a new alternator and regulator were installed last march. But that doesn't mean that they couldn't be defective. You've had the battery checked. How about having these other components checked?
charging problems with 67 98
