Alternator going bad?

[alone_and_insane]

So lately, my amp gauge has been looking like this:



Could this be a sign my alternator is going bad? (The battery is about 5 years old.)

[1BADAIR]

whats it say with it running

ps
voltmeter

[2EVUL4U]

Should just test the alternator, under load. Wouldn't hurt to have that battery tested, too.

[my95z28]

Take it off, have it tested. Incredibly easy on an LT1. Worst part is having to get under the car for the tensioner.

[alone_and_insane]

the picture was taken just after driving back to Dearborn from Livonia, it was down there pretty much the whole way. (Parking lights were on)

Where could I get my alternator tested? Autozone?

[my95z28]

Yessir. Might as well take the battery with you and have them do both

[alone_and_insane]

This morning the gauge was above the orange again, if only slightly. well, here's to hoping the car lasts long enough to get me to the M&G and back tomorrow!

[Gregs_gsxr]

have the battery tested first, it that is bad replace, a bad battery or even a bad cell in the battery will make the alt work harder and burn it up. Start with having the battery tested, Murrays can do this with it still in the car and for free

[TrickyTransAm]

You may want to run a lead on an alternator from QuickStart down in the Detroit area - Get an upgraded alternator from them, rather than a stocker.

If not...check to see if there are electrical sponsors here that can help, or if you do go alternator, get a durolast Gold. They're the only ones I haven't had trouble with really.

[alone_and_insane]

so I took the car to O'Reilly's today, and lo and behold, I do have a bad battery, as confirmed by the guy's testing equipment and by the fluid testing (after charging the battery, only one cell was above 50%). So looks like I'm gonna have to pick one up this week.

[Gregs_gsxr]

good to hear, its something simple as the battery

[alone_and_insane]

well, maybe not. I got a new battery today, put it in, fired the car up, looked at the voltmeter...no difference

[Gregs_gsxr]

double check all your connections on the battery and the back of the alt, they could be corroded. Now that you know the battery is good, have them check the system again.