1991 Convertable L98 engine.

I only drive my Vette About once every other week. Last week I drove around the city and noticed my volts rather low, I turned off the a/c and radio and Volts picked up right around 12. I figured it was just having a rough day in the hot sun. I headed home and parked it.
Today I try to start it and the battery is drained. I jumped the car and it started fine and remained running when I disconnected the jumper cables. But the volts went down to around 8ish when I disconnected the jumper cables and reving the engine only slightly increases the volts. After a couple of minuites of running the car I turned it off and tried to restart with no luck. I wasn't sure if I should leave it running to try to charge up the battery or if it would be extra work on the alternator. I sounds like an alternator to me, but I'm really not knowledgable with cars. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm guessing its the Alternator but really have no idea.
I called chevy and a local garrage for estimates of alternator replacement and I was given $420. from chevy and $350.00 from local garage.

Do you think the car will make it if I try to drive it to get it fixed...10 miles 15 minutes?
Does anyone know of a place to get it fixed in Washington DC or Northern VA?
Thanks for any advice you can provide.

 

go to PepBoys and buy a new one. They still are kind (stupid) enough to offer life time warrenties on them. I think they run for around $50 bucks or so after you take yours back to them. It only takes about 10min the first time to change one, and about 5min each time after that.

We can walk you thru it step by step if need be. It probably the simplest thing you'll ever fix on your L98.

 

Word of advice. Charge your battery overnight with it out of the car. Use a 6amp auto battery charger. The alts in our cars are 125 amp and they can become damaged trying to sustain that much amperage for extended periods of time, like charging a totally dead battery.

There are plenty of us on the forum that can help you diagnose the problem. Start with a search of the archives, you'll learn a lot.

 

Holy crap!! I think I paid $136 for a Mr. Goodwrench alternator last time mine died.
I would NOT try to drive it to the location. At ~10 volts, your computer shuts down and you're finished. I doubt you'd make it a couple of blocks if it's that low.
As 90Ragtop said: This is the easiest repair you'll ever do on a L98. I'm mechanically ignorant and completed the job in 10 minutes.
What you need is a 1/2" breaker bar to loosen the belt and a 10mm socket/ratchet for the mounting bolts and alternator wire.
Also be sure to disconnect your negative battery post first. I believe it's either a 5/32 or 7/32. A 8mm socket will also work though.
The hardest part is getting the belt off. After that, it's a breeze. Good luck.



[Modified by SaveTheWave, 7:53 PM 8/20/2001]

 

Are you sure the battery is still good? I have had bad batteries make alternators look bad too. Disconnect your battery while running and see if the alternator keeps the car running. It just may be your battery

 

I don't think our cars will run with the battery cables disconnected. Think they are needed to complete the circuit or something. :confused:

 

Bought an alternator rebuild kit for 13.00 at Discount Auto Parts. 15 Minutes to change out the parts inside and bolt it back together... worked perfect and I knew it was done right!

As for taking it off the car ... basically a 15 minute job too.

charge the battery over nite and have it checked while you buy the rebuild kit!

-=Fred=-

 

This is a job you can do yourself, and save big bucks. Buy an alternator with a lifetime warrantee, it is well worth it. Recharge the battery, a slow trickle charge for approx. 48 hours for a good deep cycle charge. Chances are that your battery is O.K. Batteries usually go bad with age or overcharging (due to a bad reulator inside the alternator). In your case it appears that the alternator went bad and caused the battery to discharge. Let us know how it worked out.

 

Go to Kuhn Automotic Electric, Hanover, PA....tell Al Jr, the owner I sent you. He KNOWS how to fix all electrical problems and is VERY Reasonable...