Alternator Issues.

[blageo23]

When I start my car the voltage is pretty good(in the 14s). But it after awhile the voltage goes way down. We are talkin 12 volts or less(yesterday it was 10.8V). I dont know if its because the alternator is getting hot or what. Here are some spec on my car that might help

New alternator(<2 years but only 1500 miles TOPS)
New battery
Battery in trunk
0 guage wire from trunk to front for power
4 gauge ground from battery right to chassis in the trunk
Alternator has a ground wire to chassis
New power wires from fuse box to alternator
New alternator belt
JMF heatshield on manifold
Homemade heatshield on O2 housing

Im thinking that its either a bad alternator OR I need to run a ground from the trunk to the front. Anyone have any other ideas

[x-pride]

How is your car idling? Does the voltage go up or down with the RPM?

[scheides]

+1, if you up the rpms, does voltage go up? Could be your voltage regulator going out. Double check that you have good connectivity on all of your connections to bare metal, not a painted surface.

[sleepy2lazy]

When I start my car the voltage is pretty good(in the 14s). But it after awhile the voltage goes way down. We are talkin 12 volts or less(yesterday it was 10.8V). I dont know if its because the alternator is getting hot or what. Here are some spec on my car that might help

New alternator(<2 years but only 1500 miles TOPS)
New battery
Battery in trunk
0 guage wire from trunk to front for power
4 gauge ground from battery right to chassis in the trunk
Alternator has a ground wire to chassis
New power wires from fuse box to alternator
New alternator belt
JMF heatshield on manifold
Homemade heatshield on O2 housing

Im thinking that its either a bad alternator OR I need to run a ground from the trunk to the front. Anyone have any other ideas

My alternator wasn't new, but it was rebuilt in about 2 years. Starting the car, i'd have to step on the gas for a lil bit to have it go up in the high 13 to 14. After awhile of driving, it'd drop to the 11's - 12's. The dash lights would also go on about this time. Let the car sit for an hour or two and it "MIGHT" be ok. I went to LSE one day to pick somethin up and on my way home, the voltage went to the 8's, my lights went out, got home, turned it off. Car's dead.

I'm thinkin it could just be your alternator, but try the tips above.
After I replaced mine, it now runs like a champ. Except for the squeeky belt. been too lazy to fix that.

[TheBlizzard]

Alternator fuse or voltage regulator in the alternator is going bad.

[1slowdsm]

I had about the same problem. Mine ended up being the alternator fuse, but I got a new alternator just to be safe.

[blageo23]

Ill check the fuse but Im pretty sure I checked it when I moved the fuse box. The voltage does go up a bit when off idle but at a constant speed/rpm its goes down. Im pretty sure I have a lifetime warranty on the alternator so maybe Ill replace that.

[Capinoy123]

I go through alternators like skittles, well at least one a year. but I have a lot of accessories to drive, gauges, fuel pump, two big spal fans, and everything else in use during the day. are there any bigger alternators your can get for these cars??

[TheBlizzard]

I heard that the cars that were sold in Canada had to have a bigger amperage alternator because they were required to have daytime running lights standard. I could be wrong but I remember hearing that.

[blageo23]

Yah if I remeber right the stock ones here are like 75-80 amps and the canada ones are 90 amps.