Alternator problem / erratic voltmeter

[SteveB]

I seem to have an electrical gremlin in my '96 coupe...

The battery meter (voltmeter) on the dash has been erratic for the last couple of weeks, sitting at 14.5v when running, but dipping down to 11v when braking / fan coming on and at other random moments. The car died last week with a red hot alternator. The alternator was old, so I changed the alternator (££) - I now have a running car, but still get the erratic meter readings and I now think I need to find the problem that killed the original alternator, before it kills this one!

Any suggestions?

I have sprayed the 3 pin alternator connector plug with WD40 and checked the battery connections.

thanks

Steve

[dhdove]

Engine to chassis earth bond continuity?
And leads to battery?

TonyS

[SteveB]

Checked all those - no obvious problem, so car is in to the garage to see what they make of it...

Cheers

Steve

[SteveB]

OK - feeling a bit stupid now - the garage tightened the fan belt and removed, cleaned & replaced all the earth connections and everything works fine now. I had just checked they weren't loose or obviously corroded. Lesson learnt!

[dhdove]

Don't feel stupid, problem solved

TonyS

[poprivet]

Don't feel bad Steve, even a late '96 car is now 17 years old of course. The earth cables have a habit of degrading over time due to age, corrosion and movement.

It's quite likely another reader will go and check their cables now, so you will have likely prevented someone else having the same problem!