Discharging

[Mark Lyzwa]

My '92 shows sporadic discharging. The ammeter gauge and the battery idiot light indicates discharging occasionally. It seems to happen mostly under acceleration. The alternator, battery and fanbelt are all less than one year old. The battery cables have been cleaned (both ends of each one). Two different places have tested it and neither can find anything wrong. Please advise ASAP. It's driving me nuts, and I'm afraid it may leave me stranded somewhere if it runs off the battery too long. I've owned this since new (it has over 200,000 miles on it) and have gone through at least four alternators and three batteries.
Thanks
Mark
mlyzwa@tangraminteriors.com

 

[Opera House]

Get a cheap Digital Volt Meter

I've seen ones as cheap as $3.99 that are quite accurate. If this could have been fixed with bad advice it would have been done three alternators ago. One problem that it could be is the fuse that supplies 12V power to the regulator. Corrosion sometimes forms on the fuse pins and/or the spring contacts in the fuse holder loosen up creating an intermitant resistance. Without a voltmeter no one can tell you anything.

 

[Alec]

Until you find the problem, get one of those portable battery self jumpstart things. You know, it's basically a battery with jumper cables attached. They're usually about $50.

Cheap insurance.