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bad battery or alt?

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Old 10-01-2012, 01:47 PM
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Default bad battery or alt?

Last night I was driving from San Diego to LA, I had about 30 miles left and I notice my voltage gauge dropping suddenly to the 9 volt red area and my "check guage" light flickered on and off the rest of the drive. This morning, the car started with no problems, but the volt gauge was still in the same area. I dont use a/c and the stereo has no effect on the voltage, stays the same with it on or off. The battery is alittle over a year old, the alt is the original and the car has alittle over 130K.
Old 10-01-2012, 02:06 PM
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alternator.... do you have a volt meter? if you can get to the positive connection on the alternator and get the negative lead to the battery that will tell you if the ALT. is charging. i will say alternator though. a bad battery wont show on the volt gauge it would just flicker lights n so on. volt gauge drops its the alternator. check your connections between the battery and alternator before replacing.
Old 10-01-2012, 02:44 PM
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Be sure to check your connections.

When I originally did the big 3, I only crimped the connections.
I found out my connections had corroded over time.
Old 10-01-2012, 04:15 PM
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Alternator.

The gauge reads the alternator output. The battery could be out of the car completely and if the alternator were charging the voltage would read in the 13-14 volt range.


By the way you may be interested to read my alternator thread.
Old 10-01-2012, 04:19 PM
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Alternator

Also, invest in a Voltmeter
Old 10-01-2012, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by 00pooterSS
Alternator.

The gauge reads the alternator output. The battery could be out of the car completely and if the alternator were charging the voltage would read in the 13-14 volt range.


By the way you may be interested to read my alternator thread.
Yup, Ive been reading it. Thanks.
Old 10-01-2012, 06:41 PM
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prolly the alt. id recommend putting in a truck alternator. I had voltage drop until I did that and now i dont drop below 14.



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