85 4+3 voltage issue?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,163
Likes: 61
From: NH
St. Jude Donor '14
85 4+3 voltage issue?
My father called me for advice - his 85 4+3 has about 57k on it, and he said as he was driving home from work, he was in O/D and the car began to show a voltage drain at 11.7 volts with the voltage light blinking and such. He said it'd never done this before. As he was almost home, he switched out of O/D and the car's voltage came right back up, and was fine, at which point he was just about home. He pulled it into the garage, and there it's been.
Does anyone have any ideas for him? I could only think that the O/D unit is either on its way out or toast.
If you have other ideas, I'd appreciate it.
-Joe
Does anyone have any ideas for him? I could only think that the O/D unit is either on its way out or toast.
If you have other ideas, I'd appreciate it.
-Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
probably just the alternator.
since he was in overdrive the engine was turning less rpm. once he dropped out of OD the rpm's came back up (turning the alternator faster).
L98's tend to toast alternators from time to time, get one with a life-time warranty (keep the warranty in the vette).
RJ
since he was in overdrive the engine was turning less rpm. once he dropped out of OD the rpm's came back up (turning the alternator faster).
L98's tend to toast alternators from time to time, get one with a life-time warranty (keep the warranty in the vette).
RJ
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Barrie Ontario
What I usually do is have the car running with the headlights on. (usually in the garage so you can see the light intensity) Then shut the vehicle off and if the lights dim slightly when the car is off then your alternator is usually working cause now it's on the battery.
My 85 seems to eat batterys about every 3 years or so and in 6 years I have replaced the alternator once.
Hope this helps,
My 85 seems to eat batterys about every 3 years or so and in 6 years I have replaced the alternator once.
Hope this helps,
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by AGENT 86
Check the OD relay wiring at the connector. The wire insulation shrinks leaving a chance of short.
Great idea to check!
But could very well be the alternator, not putting out at the lower rpms. Get that fixed asap, running off the battery will kill it, (and leave you stranded.)
