Thread: UR Alternator Pulley with Strobe Lights

I installed a UR alternator pulley on my GA. It was a really simple exchange, but now when I drive, my battery and brake lights come on randomly. It generally comes on around 2700 RPMs, but sometimes it would randomly be strobing/flashing like a rave. Sometimes it even does it on idle. It makes my stereo cut on and off. I was thinking of running a bigger power wire on the alternator to see if it would charge better, but that wouldn't be until this weekend.

Has anyone had this issue with the UR Alternator Pulley? Is that normal for an underdrive pulley? any input or thoughts would help me out.

Thanks

Did you mess with the power wire from the alternator when doing the swap? That junction loves to fail on these cars.

In general, if an alternator under-drive pulley is going to give you charging issues (which is exactly what you have by the sounds of it) then that is going to be the worst at idle, not 2,700 RPM. Check the large gauge wire connection at the alternator. I bet that's your problem. In the past, tons of us upgraded the connection and those wires to better/thicker stuff.

And since you've been working in that area, double check all your connections. Can't picture a GA alternator offhand, but reseat the regulator connections, make sure the ground is in good shape, and do what Ben said.

It's also possible that there was a preexisting issue with the alternator that was made worse by the pulley, but I'd go after physical connections first.

Yeah, thanks guys. I am positive that it is not a problem with he alternator, cause i changed it a few months ago and there were not any problems and the night I did the UR Pulley is when it started. So I guess I was on the right path then. This weekend I am going to upgrade the wiring and hope that solves the problem! Thanks again!

While you're probably right, don't completely dismiss the alternator as a potential problem. Depending on where you got it from, it could even be the most likely culprit. Most part-store rebuilt alternators are complete crap these days and I've seen many fail within the first few months (or days) of install.

Again, not familiar with the GA, but I replaced so many SR20 alternators that the first thing I do now is toss them and replace them with a VQ30DE alternator.

I just stumbled upon this. A VQ30 alternator fits on FWD SR20 cars? If so which one from which year?

I'd expect that most VQ30 powered Maximas would work, but specifically look for the 125A alternator from the ~96 Maxima SE. It's not 100% direct fit. I change over the pulley, you have to splice in the connector from the Maxima harness. The pivot points are a touch different too, I take the bracket off the block and put the nut behind it (rather than in front) and then put the bracket back on to trap the nut. THis all sounds way more complicated than it actually is. I'll try and take some picures for a HowTo when I swap engines late next month.

Sure thanks. A visual is always good.

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Is the belt loose or slipping? That can cause the lights to flicker.

I suspect you inadvertently messed with the wiring and caused the problem.