Battery gauge drops @ WOT

[TheV6Bird]

I noticed while driving today that my battery gauge seems to move around at 3000 RPM. When I finally go WOT, it drops into the yellow.

Is this the altenator? I just replaced that ****ing thing in October with a new (not reman) one :mad:

Here's a bad drawing I made to show you a better example.

[ March 03, 2003: Message edited by: TheV6Bird ]</p>

[RamAir95TA]

Check the condition of your belt. It could possibly slipping with increased RPMs. Does it only do it under load, or does it in neutral as well?

If you take off your belt, and spin your alternator by hand and it squeaks, that's a good sign that the support bearings in your alternator are taking a crap, and so is your alternator consequently. :(

[TheV6Bird]

The battery drop also happens in neutral.

I will see what happens tommorow when I drive it, and I will spin it to hear if it squeaks, thanks [img]smile.gif[/img]

[RamAir95TA]

It's most likely your belt slipping if it does it under most conditions. Check to make sure it isn't cracked, glazed, etc.

It could also be your alternator too...but I'd replace a cheap $15 belt before I suspect the alternator. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Good luck!

[99Camaro99]

Maybe try turning the car off and run some accessories and see what happens with the voltage. I'm thinking it could be belt slippage tho as well.

[MustangEater8251]

check all your connections... I had similar problems with my 3.4L turned out my alterantor wire was corroded, I woudl clip it clean it and reconnect and a week later it would be corroded, in the wire I got fed up cut it off, and repalced it with a repalcemetn battery cabel wire I got at autozone for liek $3, no rpoblems since.

[MustangEater8251]

by the way I woudl not suspect your belt, your power steering would be acting funny as well.

[RamAir95TA]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MustangEater8251:
by the way I woudl not suspect your belt, your power steering would be acting funny as well.<hr></blockquote>

I don't think he would notice if his power steering was acting funny at WOT. That sounds like a bad idea. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Steering + WOT = :eek:

[camaro_speedemon]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by RamAir95TA:


I don't think he would notice if his power steering was acting funny at WOT. That sounds like a bad idea. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Steering + WOT = :eek: <hr></blockquote>

Steering + WOT = Donuts [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] :D

[MustangEater8251]

Sorry jsut assumed he had a 5-speed...

either way, steering and WOT? isn't that bad, how do you guys accelerate out of corners or have fun? [img]smile.gif[/img]


Either way in my experience its odd for a belt ot slip without screeching...

[TheV6Bird]

Thanks Eric, I'll look into the cable.

How do I disconnect the belt from the alternator? I've never done something like that.

[MustangEater8251]

hehe I never looked into the procedure you are supposed to loosen the pulley or something.

I just put my left palm on the tensionor, lean on it, then grab the belt with my right hand near the alternator, and pull real hard and get it off [img]smile.gif[/img]

[MustangEater8251]

by the way if oyu are yanking the belt, might as well yank the alternator with you, and take it to get tested at autozone.

If I rember its basically oyu need to remove the wire clamp, and 3 bolts to get the alternator off. Msot autoplaces will test alternators for free.

[TheV6Bird]

Well, I loosened the tensioner and spun the alternator by hand, no squeaking; quiet as can be. The belt looks good, no glazing or cracking.

Now it does this at highway cruising at 70 MPH. I need to go 65, and still it fluxuates a little. Still have that 3K and WOT problem.

I'm thinking I'll just call a mechanic and see what's up. If the alternator needs to be replaced, I'll get Pep-Boys to do it under my warranty.

EDIT: Oh yeah, my power steering feels just fine with this problem.

Why can't my car **** up when it's warm out? 30* and rainy tommorow. I wouldn't be *****ing that much if it wasn't so cold; my hands freeze when I work on my car in this weather :mad: :mad:

[ March 04, 2003: Message edited by: TheV6Bird ]</p>

[TheV6Bird]

UPDATE!

Went to Pep Boys, the replaced the alternator under warrenty, but I still had to pay labor (labor warrenty is 90 days).

They screwed me the first time, though. When I had my alt replaced, I paid for a NEW alt, not a reman. The bill said NEW alt too! Well, upon further inspection of my first alt (the one that was messing up now), a tag said REMANUFACTURED.

With that bit of info, I am no longer going to Pep Boys to get work done. My dad is friggin paranoid about me working on my car; well screw him! Next time something goes, I am going to try and do it myself!

But yeah, the new alt seems to work fine. I will keep you guys posted if anything screws up....and I hope that doesn't happen.