Low Volt Warning
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, Tn. 37211 TN.
Low Volt Warning
I was driving home from work on Tuesday. I always have the coolent temp set on my digital gauges. But the amp reading kept popping up in its place. Then I saw it was only reading 11.2 volts! Oh no!! Supposed to be 13 or higher. when I got home I tested the battery with the car off. 12 volts. Then I started the car and it read 11.2 volts at the battery. Not Good!!! I am guessing my alternator is gone since the readings did not change after cleaning contacts.
I need a little backup on this before I buy a new alternator. :cry :smash:
I need a little backup on this before I buy a new alternator. :cry :smash:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay area, CA USA
Re: Low Volt Warning (Camvette)
Many parts stores will check your charging system for free. I would have it checked before you spend any money on parts. You might read the tech tip on alternator rebuilding if you need a new one.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Re: Low Volt Warning (Camvette)
Is all your accessories on when you check the voltage? (AC, Radio,etc). 11.2 is really low for measurements over the battery. When you measure the battery voltage with the battery disconnected, you should read around 12.6volts not 12volts. And with the car running at idle, battery connected and all accessories off, you should read about 13.3 or higher across the battery. If it's less, then you either have a bad battery or bad alternator.(Don't assume the volt gauge on your dash is accurate... my gauge shows 1/2 volts lower than at the battery). Try to disconnect the battery and charge it overnight and see if it helps the voltage when connected. I suspect that your alternator is bad instead of the battery.
-Tim (mariah@hawaii.rr.com)
-Tim (mariah@hawaii.rr.com)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,384
Likes: 88
From: Boston, MA
I just put my 2nd purchased alternator in this past week. 
I bought one last year at Pepboys (brand new) for I think $114 + $30 core. It came with a lifetime warranty. They are 105amp. Anyways, this 2nd one cost me nothing as I brought my slip back to the store and they handed me a new one because of the warranty.
Lets see you'll need....
1/2" Breaker Bar
10mm socket
13mm (or is it 15) socket
...it should read between 13.8-14.2 volts when 100% healthy. Close to that is fine though. Easy 5 minute install. Remember to remove the negative battery terminal cable 1st though!!!
I bought one last year at Pepboys (brand new) for I think $114 + $30 core. It came with a lifetime warranty. They are 105amp. Anyways, this 2nd one cost me nothing as I brought my slip back to the store and they handed me a new one because of the warranty.Lets see you'll need....
1/2" Breaker Bar
10mm socket
13mm (or is it 15) socket
...it should read between 13.8-14.2 volts when 100% healthy. Close to that is fine though. Easy 5 minute install. Remember to remove the negative battery terminal cable 1st though!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,384
Likes: 88
From: Boston, MA
Re: (VQT88Vette)
Damn, I am not looking forward to change the Pepboys alternator next year at all, even though it lifetime. Yep, it was a new prostar alternator $114.xx and core. :mad
