Serban Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Sorry if this has been covered on here before, but I did a quick search and didn't find exactly what I was looking for. Here goes...when the car is moving, 2k rpm and up, voltage is around 13.5 (maybe a bit low, but I get by). At idle, it drops as low as 9.4V, so low that when the headlights are on, and I put the turn signal on, there's not enough juice to make the signal blink. The needle on the amp gauges hovers below the middle mark at idle. Once I start driving, it'll be right in the middle. Cold starts when I haven't driven the car in a few days is rough. Car starts up easily, but once it's on, voltage is low for a few minutes once I start driving. Battery check out, but I don't know the history on the alternator, or the voltage regulator. At this point I'm thinking I should just get a new 60amp ZX alternator and see if that helps, but I figured I'd check to see if anyone has any insight. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S30 SPL Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Check your grounds and connections if you want to go through that. Swapping to the ZX internally regulated alternator is quick and I enjoy the reliability of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serban Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 My alternator does look pretty old, maybe even original...? I'll try the ZX one and see if that helps my case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Both alternators should put out 60 amps max. The ZX swap and rewire, in theory, won't change anything. A new 1975 style alternator might get you there for less trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamo3 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 As S30 SPL mentioned, clean up ground earth is good starting point. I recently did mine at it helps narrow down problem. from battery to body. from body to wiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serban Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 Thanks guys, I'll check the grounds out for sure! I'd still like to try out the ZX alternator. Sometimes I need to use my lights, A/C and wipers at the same time, and right now that's a struggle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamo3 Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 What year of your car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serban Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 My 280 is a 75. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamo3 Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 This might be helpful for you for swapping ZX internal voltage regulator Alternator swapping. http://www.classiczcars.com/topic/50336-upgrade-electric-system-alternator-fusible-links-remove-external-voltage-regulator/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serban Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 Nice write up. Is the diode necessary? I've read the writeup on AntanticZ but never saw a mention of using a diode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamo3 Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Yes, you need. It's written in AntanticZ hidden Q&A section http://www.atlanticz.ca/forums/index.php?topic=1077.0;wap2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgreen Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 There is another write up on datsunzgarage too for changing to an internally regulated alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rome03 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) I'm having similar issues. I have a 78 280 with a l28et from a 83zx. Currently, I had the alternator from the l28e. I have the alternator checked at autozone and they said that the voltage regulator was bad. Is this an easy part to swap? Should I just purchase a new alternator from a zx? regulator was about 12$ alternator was 50$. I was thinking that it just might be best to get a new alternator. Edited January 26, 2015 by rome03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.