Cannot keep voltage up! Arrrrgh!

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Jul 6, 2008 | 05:48 PM

#21

TS6

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From: Champaign Il

I put my yellow top back in and ran a 4 gauge wire from the head to the ground stud on the fender. Seems to have helped slightly. Voltage still drops to 11.x at idle intermittently. Checked all the wiring again, looks OK. I wonder if a heavier wire from the battery to the alternator would help (have stock now)?

I'm beginning to think that nothing is "wrong" per se, just that I have alot of draw on the system. I gotta do something.....

Jul 6, 2008 | 10:43 PM

#22

Jimmy P

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Quote:

I wonder if a heavier wire from the battery to the alternator would help (have stock now)?

Like I sayed in my earlier post, do the "big 3 mod". Its basically replacing alot of the wires with 0/1 gauge. A larger amp alternator is almost worthless if you are using the tiny stock wires.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ght=alternator

Jul 7, 2008 | 09:59 AM

#23

TS6

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From: Champaign Il

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy P

Thanks for the advice, I'm gonna try it. I just gotta find a place with that wire....

Jul 7, 2008 | 10:07 AM

#24

JL ws-6

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Stereo shops usually have it. You can use welding cable too.

Jul 7, 2008 | 03:07 PM

#25

TS6

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From: Champaign Il

Had my stereo shop make me some cables, put them on today. I don't have time to drive it right now, but I did start it and it has more voltage than it did before, slightly.

Jul 7, 2008 | 04:18 PM

#26

Pro Stock John

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Seems like I had this problem with the Formula 5-6 years ago, and I think I had a bad ground wire.

Jul 7, 2008 | 10:33 PM

#27

TS6

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From: Champaign Il

Well, its grounded all to hell now! I've got two 4 gauge wires going from the motor to the chassis and two wires (one 4 gauge and one 0 gauge) going from the battery to the chassis. I ran a 0 gauge from the alternator to the battery too. It might be a day or two before I can test it though.

Jul 7, 2008 | 10:54 PM

#28

Full-Force

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Its possible that the cluster has a short in it. I had an 84 Z28 one time that kept killing alternators. It would be ok for a little while then lights start pulsing. I could hit the cluster and it would clear up for a second. The cluster on these cars you cant really do that to but if its possible try unhooking the wires that go the cluster from the alternator and just scan it with another tool.