low volts- bad alt??
02-27-2010, 05:27 PM
#1
low volts- bad alt?? Last night while driving the check gauges light came on in my 98 ta and i noticed the volts were reading a little low. Then when i reved it, they went back up and the check gauges light went off for a second then came back on. Today i drove it to see if it was still acting up and it was. It slowly went lower and lower in the yellow on the volt gauge. Im assuming my alternator is going out??? Im hoping i can fix it myself cause im strapped4cash right now. Is there anything else i should check? I havent had a chance yet but am planning on taking it by an auto parts store or two and having them put their meter on it.
02-27-2010, 05:46 PM
#2
The two things to check are your wiring and your alternator. Its most likely the alternator, but never assume.
As you said, bring it to the Auto parts store and have them do a charging system test.
As you said, bring it to the Auto parts store and have them do a charging system test.
02-28-2010, 01:36 AM
#6
TECH Fanatic
You ned to ckeck the excitor wireplugs on top of the alternator? Called excitor wire, it supposed to tell the alternator when to charge- could be broken. This is a common problem on these cars. Mine was broken near the connector so sometimes it was connection and sometimes not and the voltage was pending between 10.5-11.5V. Much cheaper to check this before anything else. Location on this wire is from alternator up between engine and powersteering pump. Color is RED and it is a thin bastard.
