problems fixed. alternator question...
 

well, i replaced my plugs and wires today and realized that my trailing plug on my rear rotor was not making any spark. i blame it partly on the wire that was connecting it to the coil, (charred black where it connects to the coil.) everything seemed alright after i got the car warmed up and idling somewhat smoothly (around 1500, need to adjust tps) BUT...
i was driving, and after i boosted a couple times everything seems alright until i was coasting, and all of the sudden my rpms drop to about 500-600. the car is running really rich and it seems that way because my voltage has dropped (interior lights dimming, gauges dimming while the rpms are low)
You should know that i removed my air pump and didnt install dual alternator pulley. the solo belt was getting kind of loose so we tightened it up and the problem went away. the other day i noticed that it was about time to get a new one. (small cracks, uh oh. time to replace) so now i am thinking that my alternator belt is slipping not letting the coils create enough spark to keep the car running correctly, ie. not letting the spark keep up with the fuel, making it rich. i am planning on buying a dual alternator pulley, but i really dont want to wait for it to come in the mail since i will need to have the car up and running well by this coming weekend (its tuesday night)
do you guys think that i am right about the alternator belt being the cause of my car suddenly running bad/idling low/running badly rich?

Wow, that's some theory...

Ever hook up a DMM on the battery terminals to see if you're really getting a voltage drop that can affect spark?



-Ted

actually no i haven't done that. but now my alternator belt is slipping hardcore. like barely gripping. i was thinking that the car was runnin off of battery power and the alternator and water pump were barely turning.
i guess my question is: what would happen if you ran the car with no alternator? (that is pretty much what is happening now)

the alternator isn't turning at its full speed so i think that after the battery power is diminished, the alternator is pumping just barely enough to keep the car running (crazily rich at that time)

The vehicle is running off the battery.
Eventually the battery will die, and the engine will die due to insufficient voltage. :(



-Ted

well, like i said, the alternator is turning, but not as fast as it should be. do you think i could be right about this?

Only a voltmeter can verify... :)


-Ted

yo comprendo

With the alternator not working hardly at all, it will not take a very long drive to drain the battery in my experience.

i'm going to get a new alternator belt for the time being until i can get a damn dual pulley. i'll revive this thread tomorrow.

There is an easy way to check if your altenator is faulty, just pop off the posetive from the battery. The engine should keep running if it´s ok