# 1989 Chevrolet Van - Alternator

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-chevrolet-van-alternator/137191>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet\
**Created:** [March 25, 2019, 3:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-chevrolet-van-alternator/137191 "2019-03-25T15:03:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jeff49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jeff49](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeff49)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 3:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-chevrolet-van-alternator/137191/1 "2019-03-25T15:03:51Z")

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The alternator in my van doesn’t work but when it idles down at works it’s charged is my battery little bit what would be the problem

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**Author:** ![tcmichnorth](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tcmichnorth/32/25126_2.png) [@tcmichnorth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tcmichnorth)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-chevrolet-van-alternator/137191/2 "2019-03-25T15:24:14Z")

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> [@Jeff49](#):
>
> The alternator in my van doesn’t work

That’s probably the solution. Check and clean both ends of both battery cables. If that doesn’t work, check voltage at battery while idling and at higher rpms. You should see 14.2 - 14.6 volts. If not, replace alternator.

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-chevrolet-van-alternator/137191/3 "2019-03-25T15:34:08Z")

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Let me guess . . .

You’ve got about 13V at idle with no lights, ac or radio on

And you’ve probably got only 12V at idle with lights, ac and radio on

If so . . . you need a new alternator