How To: Diagnose Charging and Battery Issues

[classicauto]

Originally Posted by FC Zach

This just may help. Im havin charging issues, on my third alternator! My batterys good and the terminals are good as well, just cant figure it out. The reman alternators im getting work fine for a while then my voltage drops till the battery dies. Def a head scratcher, im not sure if its the RPMs damaging the aternators (if thats possible) or if there is a wiring problem. Its so agravating that I've decided to try an FD alternator. Anyone else had any trouble with reman alternators besides me?

Sometimes there can be issues with reman's as REted has suggested.

However, many AFMKT's offer new and reman'd starters/alternators. The difference being one is made from a core that you give them when you buy yours, while the other is an entirely brand new unit. I'm running a new FD unit purchased through Carquest which has done me well so far.

I've seen my fair share of horror stories believe me, and it may be the fact that I buy so much paint from these guys that I know I can wring some necks if the parts go south, but I have great confidence in the new starters/alts made by major manufacturers. But Ted's definetly giving good advice.