dm says my voltage is around 12.9. but i have noticed a few things...1, my batt. guage needle sits just below middle. when i turn on the heater it pulls almost all the way down. during idle the engine is constantly struggling (the idle drops way down and my lights dim for a moment then it pulls back up, if i give it a little gas and hold it it will be ok).... when i turn the blinker on the battery AND stock turbo guage bounce to the rythem of the blinker. I'm thinking most of my probs that im having right now are im not getting enough juice from somewhere, i dont know where though... the batt. and alt. have both been replaced, and the cap/rotor/plugs/wires are all new.
question about the elec. system
- Thread starter doomdead
- Start date
4C FED
Absolutum Dominium
The terminal leads at the battery can get quite nasty with corrosion.
You might try a DVM (digital volt meter) to help you locate the problem.
Locate where the + battery cable ends (the starter or back of alternator). Don't use the one on the battery.
Set your meter to DC volts. Put on meter lead on the end of the + cable that you traced and the other end to a good ground (scrape rust or paint if needed). Now measure the voltage across the battery + & - terminals.
Your 2 readings should be very close. I would say within .5 volts or less.
If it's not replace the + battery cable.
Now for the ground, set your DVM to ohms. Place one meter lead on the battery ground and the other somewhere to a good chassis gound. You should read very close to 0 ohms.
Locate where the battery ground cable terminates at the engine block. Disconnect the ground cable on the block. Measure the resistance between the - battery terminal and the end of the cable you just disconnected. Again you should be very close to 0 ohms.
If it's not replace the - battery cable.
This should get you started.
You might try a DVM (digital volt meter) to help you locate the problem.
Locate where the + battery cable ends (the starter or back of alternator). Don't use the one on the battery.
Set your meter to DC volts. Put on meter lead on the end of the + cable that you traced and the other end to a good ground (scrape rust or paint if needed). Now measure the voltage across the battery + & - terminals.
Your 2 readings should be very close. I would say within .5 volts or less.
If it's not replace the + battery cable.
Now for the ground, set your DVM to ohms. Place one meter lead on the battery ground and the other somewhere to a good chassis gound. You should read very close to 0 ohms.
Locate where the battery ground cable terminates at the engine block. Disconnect the ground cable on the block. Measure the resistance between the - battery terminal and the end of the cable you just disconnected. Again you should be very close to 0 ohms.
If it's not replace the - battery cable.
This should get you started.