78 280z
on the rear of my alternator there is a small round tube which the FSM shows as a condensor. It is just screwed to the back(grounded). The white/red striped wire is key off hot. This wire is broken where it goes into the condensor. What does this condensor do? The FSM shows it in the wiring but does not reference it at all. My alternator is over charging and the charge light on the voltage guage on the dash will not go out. Charging at 15+ volts at rpm. Could this condensor be the cause of the over charging or a bad regulator. If the condensor is the problem where can a get one? Thanks in advance for your help.

generally speaking a condenser in a dc circuit is used to absorb voltage spikes and changes. It may be used to smooth out spikes in the alternator output. It could be the cause of the overcharge condition. You might find one at radio shack. If they have one of the approximate physical size then it would probably work well enough to show that it is the cause of your problem

If you have MORE than 15.2 volts out, you need another alt. with another built in voltage regulator. That capacitor which in "automotive language" is called a "condensor" is mostly just for blocking radio noise. Do NOT "hit the zone" on this one. Norm K.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit was 2009:07:03:21:51:32.

AND mesure voltage with something other than the dash gauge before you buy any parts.

Norm and Junkman hit it. The actual term for that part is a noise suppressor but it's just a condensor. It isn't needed for modern stereo's, only the original factory ones. There is better shielding in middle to good quality modern stereo decks so the suppressors aren't needed. The noise suppressors are also used on the ignition system, and there again are not needed with modern stereos. That is unless you bought one of those brand new 50.00 made in China CD players that are advertised one in awhile.
The light going on may be a bad alternator, but it can also be a partially bad bulb check relay which is fed by the regulator in the alternator.
The factory gauges aren't very accurate, so previous advice is right on when they say that you need to use something else to confirm your actual alternator output. Perfect alt output is about 14.2 volts but the acceptable output range is actually 13.8 to 15.2 volts for just about all vehicles.

Z man of Washington

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