I have an 85 Camaro Z28 and it set for a couple of years before I got it. I swapped out the old engine and tranny and wiring harness and replaced it with the 305 TPI out of my other camaro.
The alternator was charging at that point. Now if you test the voltage at the back of the alternator sometimes it reads 16 volts and other times it reads .6 volts. Voltage at the battery is about 12.5 then starts draining as the car runs. Could this be caused by a short? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

No it is not a short.

Does the "Choke" light light up when you turn the key on with the engine not running?

 

No it doesn't, the only lights that come on is the check engine light and the seat belt light.

 

Does anybody have any ideas on this problem?

 

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You have a bad connection from the output of
the alternator to the battery.
This is the heavier<font color=red> red </font>wire.
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“If people drove any slower they’d be going backwards”</FONT>
<FONT COLOR=FF66FF>NINÅ</H5></FONT>
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<TD BGCOLOR=black>
<B><H3><CENTER>REFUSE
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Remove the belt and turn the generator by hand,if there is any bad sounds or obvious play in the bearings it`s time to buy a new one.
Also check the voltage,does it go down if you rev the motor?

 

Well I have had it tested several times by local part stores and the result is the same it tests good. It turns smooth with no noise.

 

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Knew that.
That’s why I didn’t mention it.
Go fix that bad connection
</FONT>
</B><FONT COLOR=F3399><H5>
“If people drove any slower they’d be going backwards”</FONT>
<FONT COLOR=FF66FF>NINÅ</H5></FONT>
<P>
<TABLE BORDER=9 CELLPADDING=8>
<TD BGCOLOR=black>
<B><H3><CENTER>REFUSE
TO
LOSE<p></TABLE></CENTER>

 

could also be the voltage regulator inside on it's way out ( thats why the fluxuation)

Either possibly rebuild it ( very easy to do ) .Or chase down that possible bad wire suggested above.