First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
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If your "charging system" is charging at 10 volts, then it's not
charging. It should be around 14 volts.
One thing you can do (which is not highly recommended, but ...) is to
start the car and while it's running disconnect the negative side of
the battery to see if the car keeps running on the alternator. If it
continues running means that the alternator is putting some voltage
out (maybe the 10 volts you indicate). You need a good digital volt
meter to check at the battery (with the cables connected) to look
for about 14 volts while the engine is running which would indicate
that the alternator is putting out enough to charge the battery.
I wouldn't necessarily rely on an underdash meter (you could have bad
grounds or who knows what) to check your charging system.
Most auto parts places will check your charging system for free. USE
them (they want to sell you an alternator or other parts)!
Hugo
At 03:11 PM 8/1/2008, you wrote:
First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
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It runs great after I installed the new battery. I still think
there's something wrong with the electrical system. Sometimes the
voltmeter oscillates up and down 1-2 volts while I'm driving on the
interstate. With the turn signals on the same thing happens. With
the car running and in park the voltmeter reads around 10. A
separate voltmeter inserted into the cigarette lighter has an LED
that reads "low" and the digital display varies between 9.7 and
10.3. Should I look at the alternator next? Thanks so much for your help!
David
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