charging problem...question...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: MI
charging problem...question...
Okay, so I've put about 3000 miles on my DD '80 since I bought it over a month ago. Now every few minutes in a while during driving, the voltage indicator goes down to 13 volts or so and the battery dummy light comes on. Does this mean my alternator is going bad, my battery is going bad, or something else? Never has trouble starting, and everything works. Just every once in a while, while driving, it looks like it's registering low voltage, but everything still works, windows, lights, radio etc...
It just started doing this a few hours ago, when I was taking a short post-wash cruise (God, i love those, lol...) so I don't know how it would hold up after dark with headlights on. I think I'll go check that now. And no, I'm not just looking for another reason to take it around the block. Really. I swear. lol.
It just started doing this a few hours ago, when I was taking a short post-wash cruise (God, i love those, lol...) so I don't know how it would hold up after dark with headlights on. I think I'll go check that now. And no, I'm not just looking for another reason to take it around the block. Really. I swear. lol.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 5
From: ingleside illinois
What happened at night when you turned on lights and some acessorys.ATurn them all on alnd let in run does the light come on.If so take it either to a shop and have them test amperage its putting out-with a vat 40 or take alt off and bring in to sutozone or somwhere and have them test it-make sure your belt is tight also.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: MI
when i went out and drove with the lights on, the problem seemed independent of lights, accessories etc. it still handled them just fine, but the volt needle was doing whatever it was already doing. if the needle was already low, it stayed low, but didn't get much worse. if the voltage reading was fine, adding lights etc. didn't make it read low.
i think i'll take it somewhere to get checked out.
i think i'll take it somewhere to get checked out.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: MI
update: the problem is no longer intermittent. it has become constant. things like window motors put a serious drain on it, to the point of my windows going slow.
okay, i have a new alternator, one that tested okay, and a new battery. I also repaired that broken wire i posted about in another thread i made. can someone give any tips on where to start with a multimeter, or any other suggestions?
okay, i have a new alternator, one that tested okay, and a new battery. I also repaired that broken wire i posted about in another thread i made. can someone give any tips on where to start with a multimeter, or any other suggestions?
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 5
From: ingleside illinois
update: the problem is no longer intermittent. it has become constant. things like window motors put a serious drain on it, to the point of my windows going slow.
okay, i have a new alternator, one that tested okay, and a new battery. I also repaired that broken wire i posted about in another thread i made. can someone give any tips on where to start with a multimeter, or any other suggestions?
okay, i have a new alternator, one that tested okay, and a new battery. I also repaired that broken wire i posted about in another thread i made. can someone give any tips on where to start with a multimeter, or any other suggestions?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: MI
i'm no mechanic, i can only follow directions on something simple like changing an alternator. i watched autozone test the alternator on their machine before i bought it. it passed their test, whatever that means.
the wire i repaired was the charging circuit on the battery (+) cable, from this thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2013913
the problem happens constantly. when on throttle or off.
the wire i repaired was the charging circuit on the battery (+) cable, from this thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2013913
the problem happens constantly. when on throttle or off.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Some of these local car parts stores do a "test" without putting any load on the unit's output. It really won't detect some potential problems. There is likely a problem with the alternator; it may be a bad diode...it may be a bad internal connection--hard to tell over the net. The voltage regulator is internal to the alternator. If the voltage fluctuates, it [almost] has to be an alternator problem.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
Have you checked the connections at the battery you did not say ,the ground dirty can cause the same problem you have if ts a new battery and good connections it does kinda sound like the Diode in the alt. but that is easy checked / auto zone pep boys.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: MI
i got it fixed. thanks guys. apparently i didn't do a good enough job on the battery cable repair. i cut a little further down on the wire, and recrimped the lead to the charging lead on the alternator. it's fine now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Glad you got it fixed.
Here's a tip for anyone--
If you're repairing a wire that's in the vicinity of the battery- Positive cable, ground cable, or that small 10gauge wire that runs off of either one- when you strip the insulation back look for any white powder in the wire- inside the insulation, between the strands of wire or wherever. Also look [AT] the wire. Is it a shiny copper color? If not, or you find some powder, you need to cut it back some more. There is corrosion in that wire and that will increase the resistance possibly causing a host of other problems.
Here's a tip for anyone--
If you're repairing a wire that's in the vicinity of the battery- Positive cable, ground cable, or that small 10gauge wire that runs off of either one- when you strip the insulation back look for any white powder in the wire- inside the insulation, between the strands of wire or wherever. Also look [AT] the wire. Is it a shiny copper color? If not, or you find some powder, you need to cut it back some more. There is corrosion in that wire and that will increase the resistance possibly causing a host of other problems.