If the alternator was in a normal place I would have done that today but the thing is up underneath the A/C compressor. It is a pain to get to. I decided to clean the battery cables and take my volt meter to it today. Glad I did the ground side of the battery cable was just about to come out of the molded end. Got a new cable for it. It didn't help but I did fix that before it caused me problems. The voltage not running was a little less than 13 Volts. Which is OK. Running with the lights off 14 volts. With the lights on it is about 13.5 Volts. If I put my flashers on it goes from 13 to 13.5. All these reading seem to be within reason to me. One time while I was fooling with it the lights quit going up and down. I check it then and I was getting 15 volts. Then it started doing it again. I have two thoughts maybe Ed is right and it is the ground strap. I
will have to check that or the internal voltage regulator is going out which means a new alternator. When I first start it especially after it has sit for a day or two I have to grind and pump it for quite awhile before it will start. I think with the grinding I have to do to get it started it has to be charging the battery. Going down the road it is fine the lights are OK and if you turn the signals on they stay bright. Just when you come to a stop. You can see them doing it. I did discover another thing today. I always wondered what I would do if the A/C compressor froze up since the alternator runs off the A/C compressor. I was looking at it today and I believe the alternator lines up with water pump. I think I could be wrong but if you take the A/C comp. off another idling pulley off, you could go around the water pump, around the power steering pump, around the crank shaft and back around the alternator. It would be a long belt but it looks
like it would work.
Terry
--- On Sun, 6/7/09, Eddie Stakes <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: Eddie Stakes <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [BaadAssGremlins] Alternator on the 78 Gremlin
To: BaadAssGremlins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2009, 2:08 PM
Eh, I guess the problem with testing them in parking lot sometimes though is getting the car actually to the place, and while they do indeed have that mobile thing they roll out, sometimes they are reluctant (if they have to) crawl on blistering ground like here where it was 94 yesterday and ground temp well over 100. Not that all of them have to crawl or stick to ground, just varies car to car and I guess embloyee by employee!
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: [BaadAssGremlins] Alternator on the 78 Gremlin
Also good advice eddie , but this can be done without removeing anything from the car. They will test it in the parking lot. They will let you know if it's battery or alternator. Not sure of the possibility of the regulator being bad .
--- On Sun, 6/7/09, Eddie Stakes <eddiestakes@ planethoustonamx .com> wrote:
From: Eddie Stakes <eddiestakes@ planethoustonamx .com>
Subject: Re: [BaadAssGremlins] Alternator on the 78 Gremlin
To: BaadAssGremlins@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2009, 10:06 AM
All good advise, but best bet might be to simply remove the alt, take to O'Reillys or Auto Zone as they all have in house testers there, they lock the alt on the machine, and can give diagnostics right there on spot to determine what type amps it is putting out And of course if you need new one, probably have them in stock and there is old no good core already so don't have to pay $15-$65 core charge.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: [BaadAssGremlins] Alternator on the 78 Gremlin
Start the car , disconnect the battery cable . If the car dies the alternator is bad . Or better yet take to murrays part store or someplace like that and they will test the system without removeing the battery --- On Sat, 6/6/09, Bradley Jones <wagonmasterx5@ yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Bradley Jones <wagonmasterx5@ yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [BaadAssGremlins] Alternator on the 78 Gremlin
To: BaadAssGremlins@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009, 7:13 PM
At night, park where you have a reflection of your headlights on. Bring the R.P.M up a bit and see if they brighten when you do. If so, change the alternator.
--- On Sat, 6/6/09, Terry Atkins <twa1950@yahoo. com> wrote:
From: Terry Atkins <twa1950@yahoo. com>
Subject: [BaadAssGremlins] Alternator on the 78 Gremlin
To: BaadAssGremlins@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009, 4:48 PM
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When I have my lights on and have my turn signals on my headlights go up and down with the turn signals. Last night was the first time I noticed it then I thought this was the first time I have driven it at night this year. The alternator light doesn't come on and the battery is staying up. I think I probably should be saving up for a new alternator. What do you guys think? Funny thing is when I had the 30 year old belt on it I never had a problem put a new belt on and it is giving me one.
Terry
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