Like title says. I thought my alternator was on the way out because a couple weeks ago while driving I noticed the gauge on the dash was gettin close to red and the speedo was acting funny. So I replaced the alt and the problem persists. Something is putting such a drain while the car is running that the alt can barely keep up. Simple things like turns signals and brake lights are enough to make it dip into the red. Its not draining while the car is off. I never have a dead battery when I go to start it. But when I go and start the car after everythings cooled off the gauge will read normal for a few minutes, then go downhill. Where to start? How to test? I hate elec. gremlins. A bad alt would have been such an easy fix.
Also, I dont have an aftermarket stereo or anything else that would be pulling extra amps. My fans are set to run cooler with my 160 stat, but its been that way since april. This just happend 2 weeks ago.

 

Have you check the battery??? Go to a parts store that has a load tester to check it...

Are you running an amp for the radio... That might be pulling a drain????

 

No amps or aftermarket stereo. Brand new battery as well. No fix.
Anyone?
Has no one else had a problem similar to this?

 

The new alternator you have could be bad to. Ive had a few that where bad right out of the box.

 

Just a thought, but check all the grounds and connections, its possible that its just not getting a good enough connection and not charging to its full capacity.

 

Put a voltmeter across the battery before you start the car, while your cranking the engine and after the engine starts up. You should not see the voltage go below 11 Volts while you crank the engine. Once it's running, the voltage should be near 14 volts. If it is not, first check the ground strap to the engine and the frame. Be sure it is shiny, tight and unbroken. If you still show a low voltage, have the battery checked for load. Once you have known good components on the charging system you can then attempt to find the problem if you still have it very easily.

If you still have the problem and it's important to do the above things first, do this.

Get the car to exhibit the problem and one at a time, pull a fuse and see what happens. If that fuse doesn't fix the problem, put it back and go to the next one.