Ok, i've searched the forum and the archives, looked in my Haynes Repair Manual and i cannot find pictures of the locations for the grounding points in the car ('86 NA). Could someone be kind enough to direct me to a post they know of or maybe post some pictures you have taken?

Second, perhaps someone can tell me where i may find my electrical Gremlin. She runs at 13.4 volts (at the battery) with no lights or accesories. It's 13.2 with lights. I also see a significant drop in the voltometer (the voltometer shows 12 volts when a hand held meter reads 13.4 fyi) when i'm at idle and the brake lights are on, it's reading about 10 volts on the voltometer. Turning on the blower motor or rear defrost also produces the same result. Using a turn signal also does the same, the volto drops in sync with the turn signal coming on. The interior lights and gauge cluster lights also dim with all these other activities. Yes, the alt and battery are fine. Maybe someone has had a similar situation? Any help is appreciated!

 

Go to www.iluvmyrx7.com/2nd_gen_manuals.htm and download the Factory Service Manual (FSM) in PDF format for free.

In the Wiring Diagrams chapter at the back there is a page showing all the ground points. They match up to the numbered grounds in the wiring schematics.

13.4V is too low. With a healthy alternator it should be ~14.4V, so I'd get yours checked out.

 

yeah that voltage is definately much to low, especially when there's load on the electrical system. sounds like your alternator like NZ says, and if you run it that low for too long it may eat up your battery.

 

turn on ALL accessories and rev to 3k rpm. if its still over 12.5 volts, your alt is ok.

got jumper cables? try hooking one side to the - battery terminal and the other side to any point on the block ( a/c bracket is good). does the voltage across the battery terminals change? if not, then grounding isnt the problem.

pat