Adam,
Sounds like your alternator is not putting out enough voltage. The
voltage should be around 13.6 volts. You could have a bad regulator
or alternator, or a bad connection with either of them.
Check tobe sure that there is a ground strap between the engine and
frame/body. The alternator is grounded to the engine and the regulator
is grounded to the inner fender. If they are not at the same potential
it can cause problems.
Are you running a stock alternator?
Peace,
Pat
- Support Habitat for Humanity, A "hand up", not a "hand out" -
Pat Horne, Network Manager, Shop Supervisor, Future planner
CS Dept, University of Texas, Austin, Tx. 78712 USA
voice (512)471-9730, fax (512)471-8885, horne@cs.utexas.edu
On Fri, 29 Jun 2001, Adam Bradley wrote:
> I've been putting some miles on my car since the water pump/electric
> fan/head gasket/etc. replacement and have found that after long drives
> with stereo, electric fan and headlights on the battery is nearly dead.
> It is a new battery and this did not happen before the electric fan.
>
> I'm not an electronics guy. I have a multi-meter and it says that with
> everything BUT headlights on (fan is on) I have about 12.10 volts at
> the battery. If I turn the headlights on it falls to 11.70 or so.
> Does this mean I'm draining my battery faster than I can charge it?
>
> Or, if I'm doing it wrong, can I use a multi-meter to test this, and
> what do I do?
>
>
>
> =====
> Adam
> '70 1600 SPL311-28181
> http://www.picturetrail.com/abend
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