I have an 86 GXL. my voltage gauge normally read about 13- 14 depending on the revs. 2 days ago however i noticed my radio cutting out as i braked around a corner and glanced down at my gauge and it was reading just under 12. i have checked the belt tightness. the battery is good it was tested with a volt meter and my gauge reads normally before i start the car i tried adding a ground the the negative and directly linking the top alternator post to the positive on the battery like suggested in an other post with a similar problem. the contacts on the battery and the top post of the alt are clean and tight. the alternator is only 5 years old and was installed at and supplied by the Mazda dealer by the previous owner of the car.

anyone got any ideas suggestions?

thanks

ps. none of the lights on my idiot panel (apart from brake light) go on at any time

 

Are your idiot lights on all the time? if so you alt isn't charging. It's most likely your voltage regulator inside the alt. time for an alt or find a voltage reg and solder it in your alt.

 

Thats the thing my idiot lights aren't on all the time when the car is running with the e-brake off the panel is dark but my alt isn't giving me anything.