need help ASAP charging issue!

Lebedin8654 · Nov 4, 2009

On my 98 GT I am fighting a battery/charging issue. The battery checks good the alternator checks good and even the starter checks good! But i am my lights are flickering when at an idle in gear and my volt meter on the dash is all over the place mostly on the low side around N or O on NOR<AL. The alternator is charging a solid 14 amps. The battery is less than a year old. Does anyone have tips or experince with this kind of issue? I am thinking its a ground issue but i have no clue where the grounds are can someone point me in the right direction...THanks

Lebedin8654 · Nov 4, 2009

I had the car running with the radio i pushed the brakes and the car like dies for a quick second than comes right back! i am so lost on this thing

lordgufi · Nov 4, 2009

check your grounds. sounds like one is coming loose.

CC'S95GT · Nov 4, 2009

have you looked under the hood at night to look for any arching?
Another thing to ck is the battery cables. You could remove them completely and ck for resistance.
I have found corrosion inside the insulation on he neg batt cable before.

duff daddy · Nov 4, 2009

Do you own a multimeter??? If not or you dont feel comfortable with one, id suggest seeking the help of someone who does. If you do, then check all your grounds and go from here.

white 98 gt · Nov 4, 2009

mine did that awhile back. it's the voltage regulator. on the back of the alt. only 2 bolts i believe.

NERD · Nov 4, 2009

Duff Daddy said:
Do you own a multimeter??? If not or you dont feel comfortable with one, id suggest seeking the help of someone who does. If you do, then check all your grounds and go from here.

I still can't believe some people with an interest in cars don't own a DMM or AMM.

Lebedin8654 · Nov 5, 2009

If it was the voltage regulator shouldnt the altenator shop been able to notice that. When i have the volt meter on it, it charges a pretty consisant 14.3 or 14.4 volts. I am gonna try to get it to work this morning and put it on the lift to see what the problem is.

chilledboost · Nov 5, 2009

mine was doing that back in april, it was the diodes in the alternator i replaced it with a duralast and it went away

Lebedin8654 · Nov 6, 2009

I had a loose ground bolt on the starter. I Also cleaned the cables and terminals really good, problem seems to be fixed thanks

GDawg · Nov 8, 2009

Have you checked for bad diodes on the alternator through an AC ripple test?

Mean98GT · Nov 8, 2009

Alright this is gonna sound crazy. But it just happened to me.
A few weeks ago my car was doing the same thing. Battery would be dead every now and then. Lights would dim when in idle, voltometer all over the place and when I pressed the brakes the car would die if I didn't get off of them immediately same would happen with the windows. Had everything tested and all came back good. Put another voltometer on the battery while running and it was 12.7, barely enough to keep it running. Once when the car died on my I got under the hood and bumped one of the terminals. Everything came back on but it didnt have the charge to start the car. I got new terminals and put them on. Problem solved. Don't know if this will help you but my car did the exact same thing and all it was, was the terminals. Try this and only spend $2.50 on new terminals before you go buy a new alternator.

GDawg · Nov 8, 2009

Mean98GT said:
Alright this is gonna sound crazy. But it just happened to me.
A few weeks ago my car was doing the same thing. Battery would be dead every now and then. Lights would dim when in idle, voltometer all over the place and when I pressed the brakes the car would die if I didn't get off of them immediately same would happen with the windows. Had everything tested and all came back good. Put another voltometer on the battery while running and it was 12.7, barely enough to keep it running. Once when the car died on my I got under the hood and bumped one of the terminals. Everything came back on but it didnt have the charge to start the car. I got new terminals and put them on. Problem solved. Don't know if this will help you but my car did the exact same thing and all it was, was the terminals. Try this and only spend $2.50 on new terminals before you go buy a new alternator.

Don't just go and throw money at that... or at an alternator... test... test... test... for AC ripple and for voltage drop on the terminals to confirm that.