Re: '92 Sentra-Electrical problem

codifus wrote:

> Got a voltmeter? Test the battery while it is connected to the car.
> When the car is off, the battery terminals should read 12 volts. When
> the car is on, the battery terminals should read 14.2 volts.
> 
> Something tells me your ALT is the original one and is dying.

	I have read both my shop manuals and Googled, and the only other 
suggestion is that there is a 10A fuse somewhere in the circuit. 
There should be +12VDC on one of the connections to the alt.

	I have +12V, I could not find a fuse. Voltmeter shows about 
12.5VDC on the battery with the ignition off. When I start the 
car, it goes *down* to under 12V.

	I put an ammeter in series with the main alternator lead. It 
shows about 5 amps charge at idle. It goes up to about 10 amps 
when I bump the RPMs up to about 2K. If I turn on the lights, 
heater and wiper, it stays the same.

	It seems as if it's putting out enough current to keep the idiot 
light from coming on, but not enough to power the car and charge 
the battery.

	I don't see much option but to replace the alternator at this 
point.  SuperAutoPart***press claims to have a rebuilt for under 
$100.00

-- 
PB
"I suspect you're an arrogant little pissant who grew up in the 
Red Bull generation." - CJW