Charging System Woes
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Charging System Woes
I just drove my '88 to work which was only about a mile or so but the dash lights kept coming off and on while the voltmeter jumped from 9.8 volts to a little over 10 volts. I have the courtesy light fuse pulled until I can properly diagnose why my interior lights wont to out and its been like this for a few days. After I parked the car wouldnt even crank for a few tries and the fuel pump wasnt coming on. But after a few minutes she started up though the voltmeter instantly jumps around only going as high as 10.5
Ive got my FSM right on front of me though I dont have the electrical book with me. Any sugguestions besides checking my alternator connection?
Ive got my FSM right on front of me though I dont have the electrical book with me. Any sugguestions besides checking my alternator connection?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Measure the voltage at the large stud on the back of the alternator.
Does sound like your alternator is dead, though (and your battery will be soon if you keep driving it). You can permanently damage the battery if you let it discharge too much.
Does sound like your alternator is dead, though (and your battery will be soon if you keep driving it). You can permanently damage the battery if you let it discharge too much.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Just got out of my auto tech class-we tested the alternator and battery. The alternator is reading the same voltage as the battery so my teacher thinks the alternators bad. I re-did the connections since theyre spliced together. Also managed to break the plastic piece that goes around the nut on the power connection to the alternator so now that stud wont stay in place although I really dont think that made a difference. I ordered an alternator this morning from autozone though it'll be about a week until it gets here. :/
How common is it to have a bad alternator out of the box-this one doesnt even have 100 miles on it.
How common is it to have a bad alternator out of the box-this one doesnt even have 100 miles on it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Just thinking about this-the nut on the back is the power correct? Wheres the ground for the alternator? Mines plug has a brown,white,blue and red wire. Trying to think if Im missing something.
