Dead battery

[htchbck]

I'm guessing the AC guys didn't properly tension the alt belt if they did indeed mess with it. This would have allowed slipping under load, and eventually it glazed from the extra heat of the belt slipping. Clean the pulleys as mentioned above and probably throw on a new belt as well. Then if its STILL the alt thats looking bad you at least have a brand new belt to put on with the new alt (which I would recommend anyway). If cleaning pulleys and changing belts fixes it, then you didn't buy an alt when yours wasn't bad in the first place

[crazyrog17]

I thought we checked the belt tension already?

Even so. Belts are ~$5 and you can get steel wool or a steel brush at the dollar store.

[festfull]

Pulled the alt out and had it tested. It passed. Bought a set of belts to replace.

[Basement_Modder]

Just threw a new battery in mine today, too. I hope the alt's good...

[getnpsi]

Those who need a battery and havent bought one yet go ahead and step up to the middle grade battery of your choice. The valucraft from autozone die right at a year. the red one outlasts the 2 years by a great amount, so no reason to buy the yellow one

[batstiva]

Change the belt, properly tension the new one. Clean the pulleys, and check DC across the battery. If you're still only getting 13.2, then you still have a problem. My money's on the AC guys not properly tensioning the Alt. belt.

[WmWatt]

I got a used battery half price in 1998 and it's still going. Got it from a battery specialist in the industrial park. I don't know what causes batteries to wear out. I've no complaint with this one.

[link5186]

I'm running an old DieHard battery bought at k-mart for my wife's aspire about 10 years ago. I've put that thing in three different cars, killed it on occasion, but it just keeps coming back for more.

[festfull]

Reinstalled the alternator along with two brand new belts.

Still pulling 12.7-13.2 across the battery.

I was wondering if adjusting my idle would help? What do you think?

[Pu241]

What is your current idling rpm?

Adjusting it to correct your ALT output is only delaying the failure of your battery, again!
Because when the ALT goes, if in fact it is not outputting the proper voltage, it will take your battery with it.
Not to mention at the higher idle you will be using more fuel.

However, if you idle is low, an adjustment should be made.

[festfull]

Not sure what the idle speed is right now. I don't have a tach.

It sounds like its about to die and has a few times while in idle.

What should the idle speed be 700-800?

[getnpsi]

White men who drink coors light on their 50th birthday instantly can tell RPM and know what 65 ft/lbs is by hand. I can't explain why but they do.

Now, idle should be 800-900 ballpark, is there a sticker under the hood with vacuum diagram? you need to ground out the computer and turn the idle screw on the throttle body so it smooths out. Most say to not mess with idle tho. If you advance your timing a few degrees your idle will come up as well w/o touching the screw.

You have confirmed the output is what it should be out of idle it's just low when it comes down? This is still the more important thing.

[festfull]

Yes, by bring the rpm s up until the the engine sounded smooth. I was getting between 13.6 and 14.2 with my multimeter.

That's with someone holding the throttle cable while I tested with the multimeter.

It will most likely be next week before I can get to address the idle issue. I welcome any ideas.

I have a great time working on this car even though little things like this pop up. It's just part of the fun.

[FestYboy]

it's an EFI car, so go to the throtle body and look for a small round rubber plug (to the right as you look at it from the front), remove it an you'll see a screw head. back it out 1/4 turn counter clockwise. that should put you right in the ballpark.

NOTE: do this with the engine up to temp!

[anomoly40]

Did this fix the problem?