Ocala93TA

I took a pic ( not the best) but my volts seem to be getting lower and lower every time i drive you can see the needle is on the red and sometimes it gets alittle further , this is sitting at a red light . Does it look like my alternator may be going out ? Thanks for the help

8cylinders>4

underdrive pulley?

if you can, try to check the voltage directly from the battery, to see what kind of voltage you are seeing.

in the heat of the summer you will typically see a little less on the gauge but if you see anything less than about 13 volts than you could be having issues with the alternator

shoebox

If it is getting lower and lower, your alternator is probably not working. Next, your engine won't work, either.

Ocala93TA

Theres no underdrive pulley , sounds like this maybe the alternator then .

moondance

For my understanding sitting at a light especially with the AC on they will just ride low like that. If its going back up to normal when youre driving down the road its probably good. If its not killing the battery and starting every time there is nothing wrong with it odds are

Ocala93TA

yeah thats what its doing , It comes back when i start giving it more throttle

moparman

If you haven't done so, take a voltmeter, set to DC, and check the voltage at the battery terminals with the car running.

n2ceptor

At the battery, normal temp and idle, volts should read around 13.8~14.2 volts.....

moondance

If thats what it is doing and you have no issues starting everything is most likely fine. Mine does the same thing. Did the same thing when I had the old alternator and the new one. I wasted the money getting a new one. If you call GM they will tell you if you have the air on and are sitting still its perfectly normal. As long as no issues starting and it comes back to where it should be when cruising youre fine

MikeGyver

Go to vatozone and have them hook up the charging system tester.

razor02097

the alternator is probably on it's way out... They can get progressively worse as things wear out. Or they can just go out without warning... Get it tested.

moparman

I looked at the voltmeter on my Firebird today, with the AC in max, with blower all the way up. It stayed to the right of the middle hash mark at idle and cruise.

Ocala93TA

Picked up a new alternator Problem solved i have juice ! thanks everyone for the help !