Okay so my car is an 87 Iroc...The voltmeter gauge isn't no longer showing 13volts....Last week out of nowhere the car stop charging.
So being the guy I am, I bought a new alternator and battery. Still the same issue so I warrantied out my alternator cause I thought the extremely low battery b4 I bought my new battery killed the alternator and to no avail still same issue, NO CHARGE!
So as of now I am stumped, I've checked my connections and grounds, I do have a ground to the body and also to the alternator bracket. Please someone give me an idea of what to check next also I've taken out the TPI and made it carb but really that's irrelevant cause the car was charging just fine just a few weeks ago!
Thanks in advanced everyone, I know someone will be able to help as you always have my 10+ years being a member here!

 

Have you checked voltage at battery with a voltmeter while car is running or are you just going by what the gauge in the dash says? I only ask because I know that these gauges are not that accurate and dont work all the time. I have an 86 IROC that the gauge shows only about 11 volts but the DVOM shows 13.5 Volts with A/C and headlights on at idle.

 

I've had Orielys test it the alt was charging at 12 volts he said yet my battery keeps dying

 

spend $20 on a decent volt meter and check the voltage at the battery with the car running and the lights on.

 

I dont think 12 volts is enough to charge batteries. I think it needs to be at 12.8 and higher.

 

you should be reading 13 to 15 volts at the battery with a good working alternator.

 

Yes, Travis is correct. 12 volts is only the reference point for Alt regulator to know where to keep the charging around. Batt needs 13 to 15 in order to charge.

 

Okay, update fellows...I been out working on my car this morning and replaced the wire from the alternator to the battery also established a better ground. Started the car at idle could notice a difference, went out drove the car around the block, gauge didn't quite reach the 13volts that I'm used to seeing but volts did drop when car died (cold) and rose back up once I was driving!
I'm going to go to my buddies house and use his voltmeter and check for a reading and test at the battery looking for at least 13v there. Thanks everyone in helping me determine this, I'll update everyone that's helping me...

 

Checked the alternator with voltmeter...wasn't putting out more than 12v took it back to parts store had them run it was putting out 14.86v on the machine so we ordered a new pigtail that plugs into the back the alternator. Won't be in to Tuesday though.