Electrical problem
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 2
From: BEMIDJI MN
Electrical problem
While driving my son's 87 coupe to work yesterday the radio suddenly quite playing and went dead. I then noticed the dash lights slowly growing dim. I also noticed the traction control light was being displayed. I first thought a fuse had blown and continued on for about a mile. Soon the car started to sputter as if it was not getting fuel. I pulled into a convenience store and called my daughter to give me a boost with my cables. It started right away and I took it to a mechanic that was close by. I asked him to check the battery and he did. He told me it was the cheap Wal-Mart battery and it was showing no output. I then took it to a service station close by and bought a new NAPA battery. I drove it for the rest of the day and had no problem until later on in the evening. The same thing happened with the new battery. Anyone have any ideas? I am suspecting the alternator is not putting out enough power to the battery. I checked the belt and it seems tight. All of the cables seem tight also. Please help!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Look at the dash voltmeter, engine cold and running, it should read about 14.3 volts and as the alternator gets to its operating temperature, the dash voltmeter will read 13.3 volts. Anything under 13.0 volts and the alternator is not charging the battery. Also you should have noticed that the red battery symbol light on the dash was on indicating that the alternator is not charging.
Charge up the battery with a battery charger, don't expect a new alternator to do it, you will just shorten its life. Alternators were not meant to charge up badly discharged batteries.
Charge up the battery with a battery charger, don't expect a new alternator to do it, you will just shorten its life. Alternators were not meant to charge up badly discharged batteries.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Hook up a voltmeter to the battery and take a look at the voltage as you start the car. It should jump to about 14 volts and stay there. If not, measure the voltage at the thick red wire on the back of alternator. It's under the rubber cap and held down with a bolt. Plug the other lead of voltmeter to ground while engine is running. If same reading of no increase, the alt is bad. If higher voltage is there, trace the wiring between alt and battery.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 2
From: BEMIDJI MN
Look at the dash voltmeter, engine cold and running, it should read about 14.3 volts and as the alternator gets to its operating temperature, the dash voltmeter will read 13.3 volts. Anything under 13.0 volts and the alternator is not charging the battery. Also you should have noticed that the red battery symbol light on the dash was on indicating that the alternator is not charging.
Charge up the battery with a battery charger, don't expect a new alternator to do it, you will just shorten its life. Alternators were not meant to charge up badly discharged batteries.
Charge up the battery with a battery charger, don't expect a new alternator to do it, you will just shorten its life. Alternators were not meant to charge up badly discharged batteries.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
^^Yes, that gage should read 14.4 or so......nothing like 8-10.
Yes, alternator is very easy to replace yourself, don't pay for it to be installed. If you know how to take off your serpentine belt then you should be fine. Just take off everything that is in the way....nothing is critical in that area.
Just make sure you disconnect the battery prior to starting.
Yes, alternator is very easy to replace yourself, don't pay for it to be installed. If you know how to take off your serpentine belt then you should be fine. Just take off everything that is in the way....nothing is critical in that area.
Just make sure you disconnect the battery prior to starting.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 2
From: BEMIDJI MN
^^Yes, that gage should read 14.4 or so......nothing like 8-10.
Yes, alternator is very easy to replace yourself, don't pay for it to be installed. If you know how to take off your serpentine belt then you should be fine. Just take off everything that is in the way....nothing is critical in that area.
Just make sure you disconnect the battery prior to starting.
Yes, alternator is very easy to replace yourself, don't pay for it to be installed. If you know how to take off your serpentine belt then you should be fine. Just take off everything that is in the way....nothing is critical in that area.
Just make sure you disconnect the battery prior to starting.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
I was looking to see, Kragen has that rebuilt Alt for $87
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...ype=11&PTSet=A
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...ype=11&PTSet=A