While driving home in the rain the other day, the raido (stock raido) volume went very low and the wipers started going very slow. Looked down at the guages and the the voltage meter was showing 9 volts and droping, was able to limp car home.

The next morning was able to pull the alternator, that was just replaced about 2 months ago, and have it tested. Tested good. Battery commections seem good, checked fuses.

Searched 1st Gen and archives, any ideas would be appreciatred.

Thanks.

 

Have the battery tested.

Also what the voltage show now with out the wipers on and the car running?

 

also, did you have adequatre belt tension? how were the connections on the alternator? finally, follow doc's advice and have the battery tested. a bad battery will cause a condition that mirrors a bad alternator

 

As the above poster said, it could be belt tension. Ive seen wet belts slip and cause similar problems with no noise, and you did say you were in the rain. I dont trust those alternator testers much though. Ive seen them pass alternators that plain didnt work. More than once I needed to swap one out that tested fine.

~T.J.

 

Thanks for the info.

RX-7 DOC - The voltage w/o wipers and car running 11 volts

Went out rechecked all connections ( battery, alternator) and belt tension. Started right up and was showing 11 volts, let run for approx 2 min with no radio, wipers etc. and all of the sudden the volts dropped to approx 9.5 and tach needle started jumping.

Could it be the voltage regulator in the rebulit alternator has gone bad?

I have also been having an issue with the starter for the past 6 months. It will occasionaly not engage the gear to the flywheel. Could this be related?

Thanks

 

Take the battery in and have it tested. Sounds like it might have a dead cell.