help! 92q alternators keep burning out.

[misterluzer]

have not been on the boards for a while as my 92 q has been running well for the last few months(believe it or not).but now im having some alternator problems.anyway changed the alternator about 6 months ago.to make a long story short today i just repalced the 4th one in that time and this one went bad in about 5 minutes.battery is new and i cant seem to find a short anywhere.any help would again be appreciated. thanks

[maxnix]

Replaced with Infiniti (Nisssan) brand alternator?

[PalmerWMD]

how is your battery? weak ones will burn out alternators.

Fred...

[Chally]

Get a load test done on the Charging system. Make sure the earth leads are tight & clean.

[misterluzer]

well put a voltmeter on the the car and its shows a charge of around 17 o 18 volts(that seems way out of line).will be replaceing this alternator too.no i did not get the alternator from nissan(my mistake i guess).but iv'e been buying rebuilt alternators from local rebuilders for years without ever having this problem.battery is new.any other ideas would be appreciated.thanks again.

[Chally]

Supposed to be 13.8 to 14.2 volts.

Looks like the Voltage Regulator hasn't been replaced, as this can be the most expensive part of re-conditioning, but, it is also what NEEDS to be replaced, apart from the bearings.

[misterluzer]

thanks again guys.one last thing.i noticed that when i start the car voltage is fine(about 14).it doesn't go crazy(17 18+)until i put it under a little load(ac,lights,brake,any accessory)than even after i turn everything off it still charges very high(17+).im just wondering if it still sounds like the regulator.or should i be looking at something else.it sounds like the voltage regulator to me,but another opinion wont hurt.

[Chally]

Shouldn't go above 14.2v even under load.