Another Voltage Question

[Snakeyes_Tx]

I got one for ya'll.

At idle, and sometimes when I have the blower motor and lights on or using the windows, my voltage needle drops pretty low.

I have the -60 0 +60 kinda old gauge.

What generally causes the voltage to drop so much? On my 86 I put a new alternator and battery on it and it never did that again.

The battery on my Wag is brand new, and the alternator looks fairly new, or atleast very well maintained and not abused.

Any ideas? Yes.. the lights dim, the window motors slow down when the voltage drops.

[jeepbob]

What you are looking at is an ampmeter not a voltmeter and as long as you are on the positive side of the meter you are charging. It is possible that at a real low idle if you have every thing on that the system will discharge (the needle will be on the negative side), but this is not a normal condition and you would either have too low of an idle or the alt isa not putting out quite what it should. Check your belts and have the alt tested by one of the big chain stores or put a volt meter on it and check the voltage. It should be between 13.6 and 14.2 volts.

[wagdriver]

You might want to check your idle speed. My 88 has the idle set at 600 rpms with with it in drive and the wheels blocked. It may take a little more with the A/C on. I know if mine gets below 500 the alternator does not put out like it should. Just a thought. Jeepbob has some sound advice. While your haveing them test the alternator have them load test the battery. Lights dimming and such are a classic symptom of a battery about ready to go south. Looks can be deceiving.
;)

[ July 02, 2001: Message edited by: wagdriver ]