Hey guys. Im thinking this might be a electrical problem, but i thought i would check first.

When i start my car, my guage shows around 8-9 volts. The car stumbles and almost dies (sometimes it does die). If i revv the engine a bit, the voltage jumps up to 14 volts, but if i let up, it drops back down to 8-9.

After i drive it around, running to 6K+ for rpms, after about 2-5 mins of driving, it stops dropping voltage.

I was wondering if my T/V cable might be causing some of this problem. It looks kind of bent and screwy, i was wondering if it could be causing a loss in voltage somehow, untill the car is warm.

Just wondering! now off to post an alternative question in the electrical forum...

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1986 IROC Camaro
305 TPI "LB9"
3.23 gears
Doesn't know enough about cars.
AIM: jesusathome

 

Shouldn't cause a problem that I know off, the TV cable controls line pressure in the trans to ensure proper shifting, nothing electrical about it. When your volt meter reads low does the alternator squeal or anything like lights dimming, the reason I say this is the gauges in Camaro's aren't the best and don't always read accurately.

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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
FLOWMASTER
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
2:73 GEARS
Rebuilt 700R4, with manual valve body
B&M Megashifter
Soon to be installed
Exhaust Cut-Out
"There is nothing more addicting than speed"

 

Yes, the lights do dim.


It does seem to be an electrical problem. I just remember once someone popped my hood, and tugged my T/V cable a bit, and the car stumbled and dies when he did it, unless he gassing it while he tugged the cable.

Thanks!

 

A high shot of TV pressure (don't know how far your friend pulled the cable) might put extra strain on the pump...?

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Still the TV cable doesn't control idle, I've actually been driving down the road when the plastic piece that hold the tv cable broke and no longer connected, the car ran fine, except the car didn't shift right.

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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
FLOWMASTER
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
2:73 GEARS
Rebuilt 700R4, with manual valve body
B&M Megashifter
Soon to be installed
Exhaust Cut-Out
"There is nothing more addicting than speed"

 

Alright. Thanks for not making fun of me for the T/V thing, haha. I guess it is somethign electrical then. Odd as hell, the car is running a 750-775 idle, as stock.

guess it's time to get my hands dirty, and swear like a sailor pirate as i try and figure it all out.


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1986 IROC Camaro
305 TPI "LB9"
3.23 gears
Doesn't know enough about cars.
AIM: jesusathome

 

Sounds to me like either you have a belt slipping, you have a "power pulley" on the crank or your alternator is on its way out.

--andrew

 

Woah, what is a "Power Pulley"? I JUST had the harmonic dampner replaced on the car. It was a junkyard part, which should have been from a 1986 IROC Camaro, just like my car.

They looked the same to me, but then again, i also didn't install it myself. I took it to a mechanic to install.

If you ment power as in, "underdrive" no, i still got the stock stuff. The car worked fine up untill a few days ago, right when i got it back from the mechanic.

Might be the alternator, ill take all that crap out and test it at pep boys down the street. Thanks for the suggestions, and please reply as to what a "power pulley" is.

Thanks!

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1986 IROC Camaro
305 TPI "LB9"
3.23 gears
Doesn't know enough about cars.
AIM: jesusathome

 

A "power pulley" is just hypertech's trade name for an underdrive pulley. Good luck with your alternator!