goofy ammeter - bad alternator?

Asha'man

Founding Member

Feb 5, 2002

1,909

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Denver

Jun 23, 2004

#1

• Jun 23, 2004

• #1

Got a new battery the other weekend (as per my other thread) and now my ammeter is all over the place. With stereo (almost totally stock, so no huge power drain) and headlights on, it'll go down to the first notch within a few minutes. Second notch is normal, and I just started it up and it was well past halfway to the top. Alternator going bad? I guess I'll go 3G if I replace it, but I'd really rather not have to. Suggestions?

Ash

 

351wcoupe

New Member

Feb 13, 2003

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Manhattan, Kansas

Jun 23, 2004

#2

• Jun 23, 2004

• #2

put a meter on the battery and make sure its at least 12V 12.66 is considered 100%.
Then start it and see where your voltage is. maybe 13-14V. Then turn on everything you can AC, headlights, radio, wipers Etc. Should go down and then come back up to wherever it was 13-14V.
Crude but requires no special tools.

I had a guy come into autozone after doing this test I told him. He said I don't know......I guess its not charging the testlight dimmed alittle.

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

5,896

73

129

Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Jun 23, 2004

#3

• Jun 23, 2004

• #3

Hmmm...well, my car did something similar to that when the old alternator died a couple years ago. You could start the car, but the voltmeter or ammeter or whatever it is was only on the 2nd notch from the bottom, usually it runs a little over the middle.

 

mr_woodster

Active Member

Jul 28, 2003

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Riverside, CA

Jun 23, 2004

#4

• Jun 23, 2004

• #4

Like 351 said, put a volt meter on it. Mine gauge died a week or so ago...i about freaked out, put the meter on it when i got home...all was fine. In short, never trust a mustang gauge!

 

Ray III

New Member

Feb 10, 2004

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fixin Boomhower's John Deere in Troy, NY

Jun 23, 2004

#5

• Jun 23, 2004

• #5

Three demerits for you for calling a voltmeter an ammeter.