Ok, I think I need a new alternator but I thought I would check to see if it may be something else. When I started the car the voltage fell from 13 to 8 and didnt move while driving, went even lower when I turned on the lights, but they werent that dim. We jumped the car and the voltage did not move up at all? Is this just an alternator or something I am overlooking. Thanks.

 

Where did you check the voltage? The gauge on the dash really cant be trusted.

When the car is running, you should be seeing around 14 volts. Anything 12.5 or less, the alternator isnt doing its job.

 

I used the dash one. It said about 8 last night, but today it was about 9 or 10.

 

It seems like your alternator is bad. You know, the Murrays Auto parts stores in my area has an in-store alternator tester. You just bring in your alternator and an employee puts it in a computerized machine and in about 1 minute the computer will tell you if your alternator is bad. At the store I went to, they tested mine for free.

I was having problems just like you and it turned out I had a bad alternator.

 

If the alternator isn't squeeling or loss of any electrical power isn't noticable, sounds like your gauge isn't accurate. Most of them aren't.

 

Well, I just went down the street and drove a bit. The car died but I did start it back up, but when i did a belt was squeaking. My friend tested the voltage w/ a guage and it said 11-12 and sometimes went to 8 volts. I'm thinking alternator.