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Voltage is at 11.9!

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Old Jun 14, 2008 | 12:11 AM
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Default Voltage is at 11.9!

Tonight when i was coming home it was at 11.9 at idle and at 3500 rpm it was only 12.7!!!! I have had a varying voltage for about a week that has been going from 12.6 to 13.2. I thought it was my battery, so i replaced it on wednesday. Could this possibly be the alternator?
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Old Jun 14, 2008 | 12:45 AM
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It is possible. there should be places that test altenators. You would probably need to remove it to test it. If you have a bad altenator it could have ruined the battery as well.

good luck
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Old Jun 14, 2008 | 12:59 AM
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I had the same problem for a long time, went thru 3 batteries, replaced alternator. It turned out to be a ground problem. Charlie at RPM in Santa Clarita took care of the problem.
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Old Jun 14, 2008 | 05:43 AM
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I know a couple of guys who had the same problem and it turned out to be the red lead going to the starter from the battery. It feeds through there to the alternator. One one the nut was loose on the starter and on the other the post on the starter was burned and tightening the nut caused the starter post to turn internally. He had to replace the starter. If you put a wrench in there, disconnect the battery, that wire is hot all the time and you can do some unintentional welding to your exhaust or block. Post back what you find, others will be interested.
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Old Jun 14, 2008 | 12:58 PM
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I know a couple of guys who had the same problem and it turned out to be the red lead going to the starter from the battery.
Good Tip there!! I guess if that checks good, the next thing to do would be to take it Auto Zone or the equivalent and have the alternator tested.
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Old Jun 14, 2008 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 65GGvert
I know a couple of guys who had the same problem and it turned out to be the red lead going to the starter from the battery. It feeds through there to the alternator. One one the nut was loose on the starter and on the other the post on the starter was burned and tightening the nut caused the starter post to turn internally. He had to replace the starter. If you put a wrench in there, disconnect the battery, that wire is hot all the time and you can do some unintentional welding to your exhaust or block. Post back what you find, others will be interested.
The only problem is that my car is so low that i cant get to that nut. Its so low that i cant even get a jack up underneath it. I think tomorrow i will take it down to the place that changes my oil and see if i can get to it.

Last edited by vetteguy0483; Jun 14, 2008 at 08:37 PM.
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Old Jun 15, 2008 | 07:44 AM
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You can reach that wire from the top. Follow the red wire from the battery down. Again, don't put any wrenches in there unless you disconnect the battery.
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Old Jun 15, 2008 | 01:14 PM
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I had the same problem just need a new battery
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Old Jun 15, 2008 | 01:29 PM
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I've been through the alternator, battery replacement gig and didn't have any luck withthem. I tightened this starter nut down when I did my heads and cam and it was noticeably loose

my voltage was all over the place and now it has just settled in around 12.7

good luck, the electrical on these things are trying to say the least.

Last edited by dmiz0420; Jun 15, 2008 at 01:43 PM.
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