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Potential low power (Page 1/2) |
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Josh86gt
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MAR 16, 09:03 PM
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I was taking my fiero for a spin earlier today and the battery meter was only reading 13 volts which I thought was weird it seems a tad low and when it got darker I went to turn on my headlights and they only went up about halfway I had to hold the switch half on half off for them to go up fully would this be a weak alternator?
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Patrick
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MAR 16, 09:43 PM
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quote | Originally posted by Josh86gt:
...would this be a weak alternator?
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Probably. Should be showing a charge of more like 14.6v
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Josh86gt
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MAR 16, 09:46 PM
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quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
Probably. Should be showing a charge of more like 14.6v
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Okay thanks it's been worrying me for a while some of the lights on my dash also flicker but that could just be a loose connection
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Patrick
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MAR 16, 10:02 PM
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Before changing the alternator... make sure the connections (on battery, power junction, and ground) are corrosion-free and tight. Use a standalone volt/multimeter to measure what the alternator is putting out. [This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-16-2025).]
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Vintage-Nut
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MAR 17, 09:01 AM
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Start with a fully charged battery as the Generator/Alternator will not even try to charge an undercharged battery...
Use a voltmeter to measure the battery - 12.5 DC Volts or Better *If the battery won't hold 12.5V after charging - replace it
Check the Generator/Alternator Belt Tension
With a fully charged battery... Use a voltmeter to measure the battery at idle AND 3k RPM - 13.5 volts to 14.5 volts *If the Generator/Alternator won't charge the battery at 13.5 volts to 14.5 volts...then
Check the Generator/Alternator Connections With the KEY at RUN position {Engine NOT Running} Check All Cable/Wires Have 12V *If NO, check the fuses/wires/cable *If ALL have 12V - replace the Generator/Alternator
------------------ Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 03-17-2025).]
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Josh86gt
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MAR 17, 07:01 PM
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Okay so I finally got around to testing my alternator and it worked just fine but my headlights still seem to not go up when I flip the switch all the way I have to hold it halfway and some of the lights on my dash tend to flicker when I turn them on would that be a bad headlight switch?
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Vintage-Nut
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MAR 17, 07:13 PM
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Josh86gt
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MAR 18, 06:25 PM
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Okay so I finally got around to taking out the light switch does anyone know how to disassemble it without breaking it?

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Vintage-Nut
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MAR 18, 09:17 PM
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If it is sealed - 'flood' the unit with electrical contact cleaner as flipping the switches
Fully Dry It, and Test It...
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Josh86gt
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MAR 18, 09:18 PM
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quote | Originally posted by Vintage-Nut:
If it is sealed - 'flood' the unit with electrical contact cleaner as flipping the switches
Fully Dry It, and Test It... |
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Ok thanks
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