First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... David,
Your alt should read 13.5 - 14 at idle and above. O'Reillys auto parts (if you have them in your area) will check any alternator for free, just take it off the car and carry it into the store. Thomas -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of David Lasseter Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 8:23 PM To: First Generation Firebird-L Subject: Re: [FGF] 68 won't start First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... Thanks, Hugo! I called AutoZone, but their service is limited to 1996 or newer models. We have a Pep Boys close by. I'll check with them. I'll get a voltmeter tomorrow and let you know what it reads. David ----- Original Message ---- From: hugot <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: First Generation Firebird-L <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, August 1, 2008 7:15:57 PM Subject: Re: [FGF] 68 won't start First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... 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 >......................................................................... >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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store>
