After starting up the engine of my '86, all the warning lights and shifting lights would not go off. Voltage decreased from 14 norm down to 11. Lights went off after my speed increased. Each stop or slowdown caused warning lights to go on again. Voltage was at 5 by the time I barely made it home this evening. Total time lapse 30 minutes.

Has anybody else experienced this inability to recharge... is this a simple battery problem or a worse electrical problem?

Thanks for your help!

 

Yep, sound like the voltage regulator (or less likely, the brushes) in the alternator has gone.
Mine went the same way a few weeks ago.
Alternator rebuild time !!

 

I'm guessing your alternator. Usually when an alternator goes out its just the brushings that go out. If you goto enough auto stores you might find a place that sells the brushes. Very few stores still sell parts like that though. Me and my cousin found a a NAPA once that sold alternator brushes. They only cost like $2.99. A hell of a lot cheaper than buying a new alternator or having somebody re-build one for you.

 

Yep, You were running just on your battery, regulator or alt failed.

 

Thanks for all the help!!!

Yep, the alt went out. Had it fixed, and now it's working and back to normal!

Your help was very much appreciated!

 

Actually, I had something very simmilar happen to me.. I took the alt off, was about to buy a new one when I realized I may as well have it tested.. it tested perfect.. hmm!

It turned out that the engine was *NOT* properly grounding to the car chassis! I ran a bigass wire from a bolt on my dynamic chamber to the bolt holding the trailing coil in, and it fixed my problem..

-Tesla