Takedown

Just bought my first rx7 last may which was an 88 gxl. I recently ran into an electrical problem which is the battery keeps dying and the alternator recharge current is not charging the battery back to full capacity when running. The battery and alternator were both load/bench tested yesterday and they both passed without any issues. Im trying to figure out what could be the problem? All help would be appreciated.

RotaryRocket88

iTrader: (7)

What voltage do you measure at the alternator post? Ideal is about 14V. Do this after charging the battery back up. If it's low, the voltage you measure could vary. Also, if all of the warning lights come on, that is a sign that the alternator has a bad internal voltage regulator. Of course the alt. passing the load test should tell you the same thing. Still, I prefer to check things myself to verify.

If not the alternator, battery terminals / cables or a poor connection at the starter, bell housing or alternator post could cause a charging issue.

Takedown

That's one thing I did notice is all the warning lights did come on when my car was idling.

Takedown

Any ideas?

321GTU

iTrader: (1)

All the warning lights should be key for bad alt.
Im having the same problem. Ive redone my battery terminals and neg-to-tower ground, but it still wont charge..

321GTU

iTrader: (1)

Did you ever fix this issue or get more information?

Balista8312a

the key is to see if the car does it at a higher idle about 1500 or so should tell you, if the warning light goes away when your above normal idle, than its the alternator

Takedown

As a matter of fact I did figure out what was wrong. Both alternators were bad. Even the new refab I had just bought. I sent it back threw the company I bought it threw "duralast" and explained what had happend and they sent me another one free of charge. Gotta love CS.

I also gotta find a variable speed switch to control my radiator fan. When I turn it on it only works on full blast and that totally rapes my alternator so I have to limit how much power it will pull now. I am running a 65a toggle switch and it still gets a little warm. Thats how many amps the fan pulls. Its off a 94 ford taurus.