While there are no dues or fees for membership at El Camino
Central, we do rely upon member contributions to keep the site and server running smoothly. As membership grows, so does
site usage. Recently we have seen a huge jump in server load and bandwidth. As a result, at times we notice extremely
slow page loading. Many of you may have also noticed the new member rankings used to recognize supporting members.
Become a supporting member today and get your own cool rank!
Every little bit helps.
Show your support by making a
donation here:
Supporters
page
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject: Is this a case of Altenator death?
Well, I was driving my 83 conquista home today, and my stereo cut out, and the check-engine light came on... I immediately clicked my turn signal to pull over, and it didn't turn on. So, I got pulled over, turned on my hazard-lights, which also did not turn on, and checked under the hood. Nothing seemed amiss.
I notice the Voltage gauge is all the way to the left, so if that is to be trusted, then my ALtenator is fried, right? It got me home the rest of the way, still running smooth... but when an altenator goes, it draws power from the bat to keep going, right?
Oh, I did check all the fuses, they seem to be intact.
I believe you made the right call. But you still want to check it out with an amp meter or voltage meter. Most auto parts stores will test it also. Charge the battery so you can drive it to one.
Doug _________________ 85 El Camino 305, TH350, K&N, dual exhausts
87 El Camino 305, 2004R, K&N, dual exhausts
1964-1/2 Mustang conv, 260 V8, dual exhausts
2002 Jaguar XJ8, 2000 Harley Road King
Lakewood, CO
I've got a multi-meter... I can check the voltage, though I've melted a multimeter trying to test the amperage on it before... that was a fun lesson.
Do I just connect the meter to the big black cable, and the little red one to see if it puts out juice? (Well... the plugs those wires connect to anyways.)
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1169
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject:
Twilight Fenrir wrote:
I've got a multi-meter... I can check the voltage, though I've melted a multimeter trying to test the amperage on it before... that was a fun lesson.
Right there is why they don't put Ammeters in cars anymore. Amps are the dangerous part of the juice.
I don't know that the parts store can check AMPS even on the test rig. They can load the alternator and watch the voltage but I don't remember every being told that my suspect alternator was putting out low amps.
I don't know that they could put enough of a load to get an accurate reading of the amperage output. _________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
Your dash gauge is probably not lying to you. The voltage meter on the multi-meter should read 13 to 14 volts if the alternator is charging a not fully charged battery. Yeah, a multi-meter reads mili-amps, nothing like the output of an alternator or the draw of a starter. Amps can be tested with a induction meter, no hooking up required, just lay it over the wire.
Doug _________________ 85 El Camino 305, TH350, K&N, dual exhausts
87 El Camino 305, 2004R, K&N, dual exhausts
1964-1/2 Mustang conv, 260 V8, dual exhausts
2002 Jaguar XJ8, 2000 Harley Road King
Lakewood, CO
Necoa #: 11858
Location: 6(FL)
Joined: Jun 04, 2008
Posts: 21
Year: 1979
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject: alternator
I am not posative but It is my thinking that if your alternator was bad and the motor was running soley on the battery that it would not go to far down the road as soon as the battery can't supply the power to the distibutor the car will shut down due to no spark.If your car drove home and the battery is not dead than the gauge is probably faulty the procedures to test the alternator are availabe in the Haynes repair manual.Good luck
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1169
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject:
If you have a good battery it is possible to drive home several miles before it completely discharges. I had an alternator go out in one of my cars after going through a deep puddle of water (didn't look that deep...)
and I got the car home 15 miles down the road. Of course I started losing things like headlights, radio etc as I drove so I knew I had a problem but once I got the alternator replaced all was well.
_________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
Necoa #: 12660
Location: 13(TX)
Joined: Oct 18, 2008
Posts: 17
Year: 1983
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:
I once drove from Sheridan wy all the way to Wall South Dakota on just battery power.
Running no radio,lights or fan of course.
My alt froze up and the pulley stopped spinning
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Calendar
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Staff Site
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
