CamaroKidAndy

HAve a 91Z28 305. My gauges (except alt & temp) read strangely. Oil press pegs out tach is runs 2-3K fast and can also peg out but will reset after restart. HOwever, my alt show that often, but not always, that the battery is not charging at startup, and will lights will dim, alt meter will time with turn signals, and even bottom out with brake lights. Then suddenly, for varied reasons from hitting a bump, doing a burn out or just as you are going down the road for no reason, it is like the alternator turns on, the alt gauge jumps to the normal range and then stays like that even with multiple starts and stops for the rest of the day. Now it is to the point where I can't get enough recharge and the car won't restart. However the battery seems to be strong and still reads 12-14 volts on my voltmeter. Hook it up to jumpstart and we are good to go again. I am thinking a combonation of things here. Battery is 3years old, and tests OK, but I am still thinking of changing it. Alternator is nexst on the list. A loose wire is a possibility. ANybody had anything like it?

camaronewbie

Oil pressure gauge - wire/connector might be disconnected - your sender should be just above oil filter - will have 3 wires to it, one orange, one either gray or tan with white stripe, one black. The black wire sends info to the gauge (the orange and other wire are a fuel pump circuit).

Have alternator tested at any local parts store - they test in the car for free. Wiggle the wires to alternator during test - maybe a bad wire or loose connection.

CamaroKidAndy

Found no loose connections. Ran out of light and will check oil sending unit Thursday. Wonder if voltage regulator has a problem. WIll keep folks informed of what I learn.

ASE doc

The alternator output makes conact with Batt+ at the starter batt+ terminal. Check the connection there, also check the fuse link at the end of that wire from the alt for a break.

CamaroKidAndy

Well it was a fun learning experience. My battery was bad. Ran down the wiring, and contrary as posted above, my alternator wire does NOT run to the starter, however there is fusible link close to the battery. This however had continuity and showed no sign of breakage. Wiggled it and messed with it to be sure. The alternator tested OK but several folks suggested as it was an intermitant problem the problem possible lay in the internal voltage regulator, and that the test may not show that as being the problem. I also followed the advice of several others that my grounds mught not be good, so I checked and rechecked all grounds. After replacing the alternator I was reconnecting the battery. Keys were in the ignition and door was open. I was tightening the postive post and snugged it, got interupted, and stopped before it was fully tight. I heard the buzzer going off, and then suddenly it stopped. Then it started again. Then it stopped. Then it started again. I looked down, and the terminal connector was coming on and off on the battery. I went to snug it up, and the terminal connector slipped like it was striped! I snugged again, and the buzzer went off and on again! I took the terminal connector off, and sure enough, the threading was stripped and it was not not making a lasting solid connection with the battery. Apparently the bumps and other movements caused the cable to either make better connection or seperate. That is also why it was more problematic in colder weather. I went to a buddies' house, bummed another terminal connector , changed it out and the problem was solved! So next time I will not only check the grounds, I will check the threads on the positive terminal connector! My old alternator can go on my son's Camaro!Hope this may help someone else!