Hey peeps,

1988 Vert-TII Swap.

Here is the problemo:

First, I have to jump start the car. If i turn my headlights on, the car dies. Once its been idling for a good while, you can turn the lights on, but if its not fully warmed up and you put it in gear, the car dies.

Then, the lights dim out quickly and the car has to be jump started.

Also, when driving, when i use my brakes, my lights dim extremely. I mean if you have your gauge cluster lights on the highest, they go almost completely black.

I did take it to autozone to get them both checked, and the guy there said the machine says its your alternator wires, but the battery and alternator seems good. So here is the question, what do ya'll think it is?

I did cut my connector off for the alternator and did a straight wire instead, because the connector was screwed up so i thought thats where the problem was.

The big question, what would happen if i accedentally reversed the wires for the alternator?

Please help!

 

I'd say alternator, but if you can drive to any autoparts store they can usually check for free.

 

yeah, the thing is, the autozone guy said it was something with my alternator wires.....

 

if you want to test the alternator yourself the easy way, if you do get the car running, let it warm up then just disconnect the positive battery terminal, if the alternator is doing its job the car should continue to run for about 5-10 minutes, if it dies then your alternator needs replacement or to be rebuilt.

 

Get a DVOM or DMM and check the output of the alternator the correct way.

Around 14.6 is good. Less and you're alternator is weak, which in turn will give you a weak battery. If replacing the alternator, make sure you replace your battery as well. Seeing as how you've jumped it a bunch of times already, it probably isn't that good...

James

 

I did a thread about rewiring. Check it out.
ReWire Thread

 

On a 88 the top of the tee is the black/white wire. The other is for the white/black wire. Look at your alternator jack and think the letter T.

 

Just do what i did, buy both! you wouldn't want one of those to give up on your in the middle of the streets.

 

thanks a lot for all the input, i really appreciate the help! Well, my i tracked down the negative battery cable and further down on it almost where its grounded its been cut off half ways. So just to clarify, half the wire is cut upon, so its like half the ground.

I'm taking that out tomorrow and getting a new one. I'll put it on and hopefully (pray for me) thats all i need. I've jump started the car about 10 times, is that bad?
I will also do the alternator check! Thanks everyone!!!