Quick question

[phil_long]

Just in case you guys care, I got everything situated with this.  Just wanted to "officially" close this thread.  Lol.  I hate reading some threads when someone has a problem, and then after all the help they receive, never really confirm whether everything is ok or not.  So I'm good with my issue.  I ended up purchasing the field fix harness, voltage went back to where it was suppose to.  Thanks for the help fellas

[SuperSix]

I just had the same issue, used Steve's light buld > alternator charge method for a year or so.
Taking out the cluster, cleaning the exposed copper traces with a scouring pad, tweaked/cleaned the bulb contacts on the twist-on base, and checked / cleaned the light bulbs/bulb feed wides.

Fixed mine..
http://ihadav8.com/forum/index.php?topic=1395.msg43541#msg43541

[Steve Wood]

glad you got that one behind you, Phil!

[phil_long]

Thanks Steve.  Just thought about starting another thread.  I literally been researching all day on the voltage issues.  At idle, the voltage is good.  After a test drive at night, i check the numbers at idle the SM bounces between 13.6/13.2.  Whenever I'm driving, it drops significantly when I give it gas, like half throttle the voltage might drop down to 11.xx.  I started to get my alt tested, but the load "test" that they run isn't worth much.  The voltage at the back of the alt and bat at idle is around 13.9/14v.  Was reading your page and I thought about looking at the ign switch.  These cars are so picky.

[Steve Wood]

Yes, they are.

That would be my starting place.  Drove me crazy for a long time on one of my cars.  That sure sounds like a loose connection.

[phil_long]

So the ign switch would be a great place to start?  And this might be a crazy question, but how long do you think it would take to ruin an alt running on a bad battery?  Asking only because I jumped the the car instead of leaving the battery on the charger, and before i jumped the car, the battery showed 2 volts.  I was thinking that maybe the alt couldve went bad due to such a bad battery, and over worked itself and said, screw you Phil, you're making me do too much.  I drove around on it a little bit and let it idle for about 8 min after driving......

[Steve Wood]

I don't know...it can cause the alternator to get too hot if you ran it a long time making it charge.  It would take a load test to show if it is failing.

Let the car idle, turn on all the lights, and see if the voltage holds steady.

[phil_long]

Ok.  Before i replaced the battery, the alt had charged it back up to 11.6 volts.  The bat was shot by then tho so i guess it doesn't matter.