Low voltage. Thoughts?

[Formulaboy95]

Car had to be towed for the first time. First the ABS light came on, then the voltage guage dropped to like 10v, then radio shut off, guage at 8v. Then the car died.

So, I got a new 140amp alternator, and replaced the battery. I cleaned the terminals, and the belt has mabey 1000 miles on it. Voltage seems to be right on the amber line, probably 12 volts, with no accessories running. Anybody have a problem like this?

I replaced the belt because it was chirping/squeaking on high rpm shifts. Still squeaking a bit. Could it be the tensioner not providing the proper tension as the rpms wind up? I tried belt spray, but it still squeaks a bit.

?????

[Rob B (shoebox)]

Sounds like your new alternator is not working. If not, it is going to kill your battery again.

[ConElite]

I say go to a shop and load test the battery and the alternater. This will give you the information you need to move on to plan B... So starting off with that should be your first move. It could be a defective alternater. Here at the Chevy dealer I work at, We get those defective items alot. You'd be surprised...

[Formulaboy95]

Well, the Alternator is fine. 14.6+v at the alternator, 12.8 at the battery. Must be a bad cable, or ground.

[fastTa]

Well, the Alternator is fine. 14.6+v at the alternator, 12.8 at the battery. Must be a bad cable, or ground.

Check your connections and cables. Probably a corroded connection or maybe a damaged cable. Could be either positive+ or negative-.

[CLWILSON]

I just went through the same thing with my wifes car, new alt and batt and it still would not charge right turned out to be a bad neg batt cable.

[Formulaboy95]

Yeah, I did the Negative side last night, then the Check Guages light comes on. So I went under the hood this morning to do the positive side, and noticed that the cable from the alternator to the battery was a little off color. Must have been fried from the old alternator. So I upgraded to a 2ga cable, and problem solved.