astrosurfer

Hi guys...
time to ask about a little issue I have.
With the car running I watch the volt meter and it's a good 13.5 V
If i put the blinker or hazards on the needle pulses a good 2-3 Volts lower.
I'm thinking the alternator is going out.
Can someone give me a good pointer as to where I should test for this.
I don't want to throw a new part at it unless I can be sure the problem.
I'm enough in it right now.
I'm sure the battery is good, (it's a new duralast gold) purchased about a year ago, but I guess I should give it another full charge before going back around to my car. I did charge it about a couple weeks ago but it sits for a week or more at a time between starts. (it's about 2 miles away at my in laws at the moment while I get my title issue resolved.)
I guess I should start the car and remove the leads and see if it keeps running then test the output. Apart from that I'm lost on this one.
As usual all help and suggestions are appreciated.

I'm betting this has been asked before too but it's late and I did not search like a good boy should.

camaronewbie

If questioning the alternator, just take it out and take it to Advance or Autozone etc. and have them test it - they do it for free.

astrosurfer

OK I'll do that and see what they say.
I just hate leaving there with a broke part without buying the replacement. Which I can't do right now.
I was hoping for a quick test to prepare myself for the worst...LOL.

thanks

Rolling Thunder

Actually there is a quick test. First i wouldn't put too much faith in factory gauges as there not really accurate and can have some issues like what im suspecting is your situation. Anyways the simple test is this take a volt meter measure the batteries voltage with the car off it should be like 12V. Now start the car and the voltage should jump to 14 or so. If it does your charging system is working. The turn signals should not really draw all that much power to make any noticeable difference in reading unless there was a short or something but even then a fuse would pop first or if your battery was completely dead but if it were that dead your car wouldn't have enough power to even crank over. You can also try putting your turn signal on and measuring the battery voltage with your meter i suspect you'll find the voltage does not fluctuate as much as the gauges claims it is.

astrosurfer

OK
Thanks I'll try that next time I'm round there.
Good to go armed with things to try. I like to exhaust all alleyways first and use the process of elimination.

Thanks.