I saw another alternator thread going, but figured I'd start a new one since my symptoms are a little different.

Recently the voltage has been running a little higher than normal on my Vette, but not close to the red so I was never terribly concerned with it. Last night I'm driving home and my bat light comes on and the voltage dropped to about 11. I was pulling over into a parking lot, but I figured if my alt was going bad, I was better off driving it as close to home as I could get it before it died out. That might not have been the best idea, but at midnight, my options were limited. I was about 6 or 7 miles from home. Anyway, I got all the way home without the voltage dropping any more than it had. Since it seemed to be overcharging a little before, I'm under the impression it's the alternator on it's way out, but I don't want to just buy an alternator and hope for the best. Any ideas?

I have no problems with delays before the start as was mentioned in the other thread. It always starts right up, but since last night, the voltage just doesn't go above 10 or 11 and the bat light stays on. Is it safe to assume it's the alt? The battery isn't that old, maybe a year and a half.

Thanks all!

 

check all of your connection's and belt first, than the batt. and go from there,,, look at the simple think's first

 

Checking the simple fixes is always a great idea. One question though... it's obvious I'm not an electrical expert, but if I had a poor connection, wouldn't it be more likely that starting my car would be intermitant, or my voltage would go up and down rather than staying pretty stable except when I roll the windows up and use other draining accessories?

I will check all my connections as advised, but I'm just curious since that would seem logical... then again, when your having minor nagging Vette problems, you can throw logic right out the window.

Hadn't even thought of checking the belts though. I'll have to do that too.

 

Voltage regulator?

 

Depending on the year, prior to 73, Vettes were OEM equiped with an external regulator. From 73 on, the regulator was built in the alternator. Full fielding the alternator will give a hint as to whether the alt or reg is the problem. Low voltage is normally an alt problem however. High voltage is normally from a bad regulator.

 

loose /dirty connection can drive you nut's because they aren't constant

 

www.madelectrical.com

go to there one wire vs three wire alternator write ups lots of good info there to help you trouble shoot, its in electrical tech

 

You can go to Advance Auto or Auto Zone and they will test your alternator for free. Most likely a bad alternator with either a failed diode or voltage regulator.

Gary

 

I just had mine go out on me and I had the Murrays's store check mine. It was bad and I got a new one for under $40

 

Now that's an outstanding idea! I think I'll do that. I stopped off at home during lunch and did a quick check of the belt and connections. Everything seemed to be okay. I'm thinking it has to be the alternator, but I'll let my local parts store confirm.

What brand was the $40 alternator from Murray's?