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Post by mrgalantguy on Nov 18, 2014 10:30:01 GMT -5
I just purchased a 2001 Montero sport but prior I looked at and test drove close to a dozen of them as i was shopping for one. I noticed 3 Montero Sports including the one I bought all the lights flicker at a steady frequency. The one I bought has a minor flicker but noticable especially at idle seems to be dependent of RPM. The others seems to flicker at a constant frequency at any RPM range.
First thing comes to mind might be a alternator issue but wondering if this is a common problem on Montero Sports since I have experienced this on 3 of them. I have done research which no real answer...most common is probably a alternator issue, some of said its a ground issues, fuse issue or even the light/signal which on the column.
I have had vehicles with alternator issues..but never experienced ones with flickering light symptoms.
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Post by dclambertt on Nov 18, 2014 17:37:12 GMT -5
Not an uncommon issue from my reading. The alternators are susceptible to oil leaks from above, and there some here who feel they are undersized. My lights will flicker slightly at idle as well, and my clock will flicker when my fog lights are on until they warm up (?), then it stabilizes.
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Post by mrgalantguy on Nov 19, 2014 9:11:03 GMT -5
Hmmm Ok...is there is alternate alternator option to upgrade to solve this issue that maybe some owners have switched to?
There is absolutely no oil leaks on the one I purchased and everything under the motorbay looks like in pristine condition. I have checked the battery grounds and other ground locations in the engine bay and they are all good. There is no rust/corrosion on anything.
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Post by ES_97Sport on Nov 19, 2014 18:53:30 GMT -5
Hmmm Ok...is there is alternate alternator option to upgrade to solve this issue that maybe some owners have switched to? ... Misunderstanding. There's a difference between intermittent or inconsistent 'flickering', 'pulsing' and the lights going dim - the electrical system browning out. The fist is poor ground, poor/intermittent connection or short. The latter is insufficient voltage/amperage. The middle is voltage regulator. Upgrading the alternator won't fix the first problem. It will only 'fix' the problem tangentially for the second - new alternator -> new regulator. It will fix the last problem. This is the second problem. Sounds to me like the regulator in the alternator to me. And, no, this is NOT normal nor should it be happening on ANY vehicle. Couldn't find a image of the wave pattern from conversion from AC to DC or I'd have explained what was going on with the pulsing. Hard to explain without a picture.  Edward |
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Post by colted on Nov 19, 2014 21:06:52 GMT -5
Hmmm Ok...is there is alternate alternator option to upgrade to solve this issue that maybe some owners have switched to? ... Misunderstanding. There's a difference between intermittent or inconsistent 'flickering', 'pulsing' and the lights going dim - the electrical system browning out. The fist is poor ground, poor/intermittent connection or short. The latter is insufficient voltage/amperage. The middle is voltage regulator. Upgrading the alternator won't fix the first problem. It will only 'fix' the problem tangentially for the second - new alternator -> new regulator. It will fix the last problem. This is the second problem. Sounds to me like the regulator in the alternator to me. And, no, this is NOT normal nor should it be happening on ANY vehicle. Couldn't find a image of the wave pattern from conversion from AC to DC or I'd have explained what was going on with the pulsing. Hard to explain without a picture. Edward this?  |
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Post by mrgalantguy on Nov 21, 2014 9:03:26 GMT -5
I will have to take a video this evening and post it up most likely tomorrow for you to get a better idea whats happening.
Definitely is like a "pulsating" symptom and seems to be dependent of rpm and you can hear a slight "whining" sound along with the pulsating of the lights. Its definitely effecting the whole electrical system like the lights and even if I put down my windows you can hear the regulator "pulsate".
I am going to hook up a meter to see the voltage readings to see if they conincide with the pulsating I am experiencing....but a video will be posted to get a better idea whats going on.
Thank you for your replys..very much apperciated.
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Post by ES_97Sport on Nov 21, 2014 18:43:56 GMT -5
I will have to take a video this evening and post it up most likely tomorrow for you to get a better idea whats happening. Definitely is like a "pulsating" symptom and seems to be dependent of rpm and you can hear a slight "whining" sound along with the pulsating of the lights. Its definitely effecting the whole electrical system like the lights and even if I put down my windows you can hear the regulator "pulsate". I am going to hook up a meter to see the voltage readings to see if they conincide with the pulsating I am experiencing....but a video will be posted to get a better idea whats going on. Thank you for your replys..very much apperciated. No worries. Wow. I haven't had one whine like that in a LONG, LONG time. Does sounds like alternator to me, but use a mechanic's stethoscope on the alternator housing. That'll pin-point that sound. A consistent pulse of all lights - both interior and exterior - is the regulator. The pulsing is regular like a metronome. Very regular timing and quick. Pulse timing may change a LITTLE with RPM, but it won't be much. There is NO pulsing with a brown out. It the lights just dim when the vehicle goes to idle and brighten back up when the RPMs increase. If it is the regulator, you don't want to screw around a lot trying to figure it out or you'll be buying a battery, too. Edward |
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Post by mrgalantguy on Nov 21, 2014 20:01:38 GMT -5
Thanks Edward for the the reply...from your information it really sounds like its the voltage regulator in the alternator.
Here is a video I took when I got home from work...you can definitely see the pulsating and if you hear closely you can hear the "whining".
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Post by colted on Nov 21, 2014 21:57:16 GMT -5
awwts.....that flicker is really bad......it is not "normal" anymore for a montero,LOL.....either you have a bad regulator or an alternator going bad, brushes/one phase most likely.
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Post by mrgalantguy on Nov 23, 2014 10:04:42 GMT -5
I figured it would be a bad alternator. I am assuming the voltage regulator is in the alternator?
Any recommended upgraded alternator with higher amps to replace with?
Might have to jump on buying a Autozone Duralast alternator since they just sent me a 20% coupon I have to use before the 27th.
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Post by colted on Nov 23, 2014 19:36:00 GMT -5
I figured it would be a bad alternator. I am assuming the voltage regulator is in the alternator? Any recommended upgraded alternator with higher amps to replace with? Might have to jump on buying a Autozone Duralast alternator since they just sent me a 20% coupon I have to use before the 27th. yup, usually the regulator is buuilt inside the alternator.......got mine from Pepboys about 3 years ago, first one failed after just less than 2 mos, good thing it has 6 warranty and was replaced by the shop for no extra charge.....been working fine since then. |
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Post by mrgalantguy on Nov 24, 2014 9:07:10 GMT -5
Ok sounds good...Going to buy a Autozone Duralast alternator today. Thanks for the help!
Much appericated!!
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Post by ES_97Sport on Nov 24, 2014 13:37:29 GMT -5
Ok sounds good...Going to buy a Autozone Duralast alternator today. Thanks for the help! Much appericated!! WOW! Yea, that looks like the regulator. My '03 started doing that a couple weeks ago.  EXACTLY the same. All Mitsu alternators have the regulator internally. If you get one from Autozone, get the higher amperage one. Something like 90 or 94 amps. I ran a couple for a few years. Worked decently. Pull the negative battery cable first and reinstall it last - ALWAYS! Be careful when putting the positive wire back on the alternator housing. Its easy to get that not quite right and then crack the plastic when tightening it down. Clean the bracket with brake cleaner before bolting the alternator back in so it's nice and clean and you have a good ground to the engine. Oh, and take a good look at the belt while you have the old one off. Look for cracks and any separation of the belt. AND, when you put the new on back on, make sure that the pulley is aligned with the other pulleys. I got two that had the alternator pulley off by almost a 1/4". The edge of the belt was jammed up against the edge of the pulley. I wasn't sure how long that was going to take to screw up a bearing or the belt and I wasn't interested in finding out.  Edward |
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Post by mrgalantguy on Nov 24, 2014 14:42:17 GMT -5
Can't seem to find a higher amp alternator through Autozone. I did find one through OReillys Ultima AlternatorWhat sucks I can't take advantage of the 20% coupon from Autozone |
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Post by jkdv8 on Nov 24, 2014 20:09:33 GMT -5
Wow that's crazy. I immediately put techno music to it. Un ta un ta un ta.... Had positive results with quality power alts.
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EXACTLY the same. 