I have searched the forums and can not find a solution to my problem. I have a 1988 pontiac firebird formula 305. i have changed the battery and the alternator. i took the new alternator to autozone to have it tested and it was 5/5. the thing that really bothers me is that it'll burn down a new battery in less than 5 minutes of running. i have physically and electrically checked all wiring and have found no issues. i have power a 2 of the 3 wires on the alternator clip when i turn the battery on at ignition. the problem is that it is not charging. The battery hot post when read with a meter never goes up. i am at my wits end any help will be appreciated. thanks in advance for any help.

 

Ok - I'm not sure what is going on here. You put a new alternator & a new battery in the car & you have no alt output. You took the alt to Autozone & it tested 5/5 - does that mean it tested good? If the alt tested good at Autozone, then prob is with the car.
Is the alt/volts light on the dash lit?
Is it a CS144 or similar type alt?
Did you check for volts at back of alt & at battery?
Did you check continuity of wire from back of alt to battery?
Did you check for good engine to chassis ground wire connections?
I have factory service manual & can help - but need more info
Corky

 

5/5= perfect
Mya have fixed found what was left of a cheap alarm system that had the primary charging wire ran to the alarm box. i removed all of that crap and now i am reading 11.87 volts at back of alternator. i called a friend of mine who does auto electricity work and he said if the battery was'nt fully charged i would get a low reading, i have never of this so i am charging the battery to see what happens. i think that the battery may be bad though. i will keep yall posted and hopefully this fixes my prob but if not i will be crying again later. LOL

 

Your volt reading should be much higher than that - you probably have the same reading at the battery terminal. Sounds like the alt is not doing it's job.
Corky

 

the alternator was tested and it tested good, but that doesnt mean it is good. I am about to get pissed and buy a 350 4bolt main and just be done with the electronic crap the only thing is i really like the gas milage i would be getting. i have only had this car for about a month and have had this problem the whole time. it carnked to day and ran for an hour with no issues then i hooked the trunk switch back up and it blew a fuse so i replace it and drove to my neighbor about 100 ft and killed it and it would'nt crank back up. i am wondering if the trunk pull down is not shorted causeing this problem, but that would not explain the low voltage reading on the back of the alternator does anyone have a wiring diagram of the alternator/ charging system.
god i think i have started to ramble this just has me so flustered well any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance for the replies.

 

there is a wiring diagram of the alternator/ charging system in the tech Articles

 

which wiring diagram would apply to a 1988 305 tbi.

 

bump

 

i found the problem after changing almost every wire in the electrical system it ended up being the alternator. thanks for the help guys.