low voltage

[stonecold0469]

Here's the deal. I have a swapped L67 1998 Lumina.*
Been having issues with voltage, exchanged the alternator and sometimes voltage reaches*
13.2 volts. It doesnt reach 14.+ volts*

Got*home
today with a "volts" light on yet again.*

I already Replaced the battery, installed a 4 gauge wire from alternator to battery*
And tomorow will have to change the alternator yet again.*

Somebody help me!*





*

 

[airhead]

Considering what you've already tried, you might need to be looking for something loading down the electrical system. My son had a frayed wire in a tail light assembly on a Cavaleir that caused a real similar issue.
Does the battery hold its charge? As rare as it is, I've also bought batteries and alternators that were bad out of the box.
If it was me, I'd first pull the alternator and battery and have them tested. Most alternators now have the main voltage regulator built in but if yous doesn't, that would be another area to check.
Good luck.

 

[Scottydoggs]

have you checked or replaced the ground cable yet?

 

[stonecold0469]

how can i test for a component loading down the system?

Battery does its job, the thing is that it does not charge to 14.7 which i believe its operating system voltage, when the alternator goes bad, it goes below 11 and well, i end up running to autozone before i get stranded. after installing a new alternator that tested out good at autozone, i install it and booof! it has 13 volts or less.

usually its breaking the voltage regulator.

how can i test the negative cable for problems?

 

[Scottydoggs]

14.7 is to high, you want 13 to 14 ish

if you have a multi meter you can test the battery with the car off, and then again when on, that will tell you what you are charging at, if you hold the rpm's at 1000 it should go up some.

the cable you just have to look at it, it bolts on the bell housing bolt on the bumper side of the engine, you have a few grounds there, it could be lose or broken or just corroded. if you see the metal showing from around the clamps its time to replace it as well.

 

[stonecold0469]

damn, a gm tech told me it had to be 14.3 - 14.7 range!

it always goes from 12.2 to 13.2 volts.

i will have to check those out.

 

[Scottydoggs]

i had 3 bad alts in raw all were over charging, the message center in my truck kept saying charging failure and the truck just didn't seem to run right. i was charging at 14.7 so thats to high. the last alt i got was charging in the high 13's, and worked properly.