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Re: What do these voltage readings mean? Posted by Saana88 [Email]  (#207)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Saana88) on Tue, 25 Apr 2006 21:46:11
In Reply to: What do these voltage readings mean?, Mike C, Tue, 25 Apr 2006 18:39:20 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The important thing to trace leaks is not voltage (potential). You need to shut the car off, put an ammeter between the negative cable and the negative post, and see what happens as you pull out and replace fuses one by one.
Before working on the alternator (described later), check the connections first: Battery terminal connections and grounds. Check the large ground (a black heavy wire) from the alternator to the engine block (way down there) is still connected and good. There'll be a smaller wire going to the A-arm tower as well, but that's not too important. Next, check the negative cable ground (located on the passenger side of the gearbox) and the other negative cable ground (on the left front sub-frame rail. Secure connection is not enough, you need to remove the mounting bolts, clean off rust with a wire brush, and reattach them. And finally, check the positive cable where it runs through a little clamp-like connector holding it to the chassis. Is the insulation still good? (The clamp had abraded the insulation on my '88 and the copper wire was exposed to the elements, which corroded and turned green. I'm VERY lucky the clamp is insulated and the cable didn't short to the chassis, or I could have blown up the battery or started an underhood fire.)
Now on to alternator diagnosis.
Does the battery (alternator) warning light turn on when you switch on the key (two clicks, not starting)? If not, either the bulb is bad or your battery is so dead it can't light up the light or the green wire has been disconnected from your alternator.
If the connector is on and not corroded and the light is on with the motor running, your voltage regulator is worn out or faulty.
If the light glows dimly and the car eventually dies even while running, the alternator itself is most likely the cause.
, Wed, 26 Apr 2006 13:41:54, Wed, 26 Apr 2006 07:07:20, Wed, 26 Apr 2006 10:52:49, Thu, 27 Apr 2006 05:53:47, Tue, 25 Apr 2006 21:46:11 <-- Viewing This Message
, Tue, 25 Apr 2006 22:23:43
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