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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Alternator

Also, invest in a Voltmeter

 

Yup, Ive been reading it. Thanks.

 

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.