My car all of a sudden isn't chargin correctly. When it first gets started its fine, after it gets up to operating re.p the amp gauge starts dropping to straight up then below 13. So im thinking its gotta be an alternator, im gonna test it and see. If its not an alternator I must have a short in one of my electrical wires. But im gonna go ahead and put a new 140 amp alternator in today anyways. This alternator looks to be the orriginal, so its gonna get swaped for a new gm unit. But its likely the culprit. More than likely tthe heat is just makin the alternator show its age. Wish they still sold kits to rebuild these things. It would be quite a bit cheaper, I've seen some kits, but they're few and far between.

 

I've noticed mine does that al little, too, and it probably has more to do with a high resistance wire or connection in the dash gauge than anything else because it's fine at the battery and alternator and it shows more than the gauge in logged data. It's been like that for years. So check it out under the hood before you go replacing parts. Also take a good look at all your under hood power connections and grounds and make sure you have clean, solid connections with no green/white junk growing on the battery cables, no broken strands, etc.

 

Yeah, I hear that. New problem though. I checked the alternator, it tested bad. So I replaced it. Well I brought the car out and it was showing charge. Then the car started to heat up under the hood. Well the air intake temp sensor started pulling timing as usual. Then when id get into the car a little the amp gauge would drop below the 13 volt line. Then the car started sputtering and acting terrible. The wire is pretty shotty. So tomorrow im gonna go and replace the wire, im thinking while I have it apart im gonna get a new coil and the ignition control module as well. I think I'll put some washers on the back of the coil to shield it a little. My headers aren't coated so my under the hood temps get outrageous id bet. Any other suggestions? My coil and ignition control module are from the factory. I need to get this straightened out before I get my new tuned pcm back, so I can put my cam and RR'S back on. But that cable, and the cable to the starter look pretty cruddy. And yep I have corrosion on the exposed parts of the wire. So shrinkwrap and dielectric grease are gonna be put on those too.