Ok, I just changed my thermostat on my car and it runs so much cooler now. But when I was taking it for a long test drive I noticed the voltage of the battery kept going steadily down. Sometimes my car did this so I didn't think anything of it. But this morning when I went to start it, it didn't even turn over! It just clicked when I turned the key. Now I think my alternator was going out because it hummed and whistled whenever I turned on the car for a while. But after I changed the thermostat the humming stopped. And that's when the volts started going down. But the weird thing is that my dome light and my radio work. My car just won't turn on. What do you guys think is wrong? Also, I was going to disconnect the alternator to get it tested but I was reading thru my haynes manual and it said something about a Delco Loc II audio system and how I had to disconnect the anti-theft feature before disconnecting the alternator. Does my car have this? Please any help would be greatly appreciated.

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1992 RS 3.1L Bone Stock

 

actually u might be surprised at how little it takes to run a radio..it may be that ur battery is nearly dead, wasnt enough juice to turn the starter (clicking) and it had enough for the little drain things..

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1989 Firebird
2.8 v6, t5 swapped in

Ram Hi-po clutch, Cold Air, 1.6 rockers,Lakewood LCA's, Lakewood Lift bars, Wonder Bar, 3" y-pipe, Random Tech Cat, 3" I-pipe, Flowmasters, MSd 6a, MSD Coil, Accel 8.8 wires, Auto Meter Gauges (Water, Clock, Fuel Pressure, and 5" Sport Comp Tach)TB Bypass, 4th Gen Seats

Coming for my v6:
Panhard Bar, 4thgen front seats, Nitrous, Line Lock, Posi, Spohn Torque Arm & Subframe connnectors

"I'd rather run last in a full out race, than to NOT have run at all"
#3 Forever

 

Jump start the car and got get the charging system tested.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

How long did you leave the hood open when you changed the t'stat? At my old work we let a blazer sit with the hood light on for about 24 hrs and it was dead.

 

yeah, my radio was acting funny, i play with it for a little while and a few minutes later my battery was dead, replaced the battery one week ago, radio was normal ever since

 

Your cars have underhood lights?
When did that start?


------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

hey KED85 my 1992 has a hood light, hey where do you find those perfomance engines for the S-10s on line.

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the reply's. That's why I put this in the V6 forum because I knew you guys are a lot more helpful than the guys that browse the Tech General forum. It only took about half an hour to change the t-stat so the hood light couldn't have drained the battery too much. You know what 1991tealRSt-topGuy said about his radio, I noticed my radio was acting funny too. I'm going to get the alternator and my battery checked tomorrow so thanks for all the posts.


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1992 RS 3.1L Bone Stock

 

Hey guys, thanks a lot for everything, you guys have been a great help. My alternator was only putting out like 2 volts I think the guy said. So now I have a lifetime warranty one and car starts right up! Thanks a lot guys.

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1992 RS 3.1L Bone Stock

 

'89 had a hood light, but '86 didn't. Don't know any more than that.

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Jason E

'89 Camaro RS
Medium Grey Metallic
2.8, A4, T-tops, 91k miles, a few bolt ons
Alpine 60x4 and Bostons

'97 Z28
30th Anniversary package (white with orange stripes)
LT1, M6, t-tops, 42k miles
Eclipse CD and 10" Aluminum sub in JL Audio Stealth box, Boston RM speakers, Xtant 403a amp

Speed Kills...Wanna live forever? Drive a Ford.
Long Live #3...

 

89 had a hood light?? weird..what happened to mine...

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1989 Firebird
2.8 v6, t5 swapped in

Ram Hi-po clutch, Cold Air, 1.6 rockers,Lakewood LCA's, Lakewood Lift bars, Wonder Bar, 3" y-pipe, Random Tech Cat, 3" I-pipe, Flowmasters, MSd 6a, MSD Coil, Accel 8.8 wires, Auto Meter Gauges (Water, Clock, Fuel Pressure, and 5" Sport Comp Tach)TB Bypass, 4th Gen Seats

Coming for my v6:
Panhard Bar, 4thgen front seats, Nitrous, Line Lock, Posi, Spohn Torque Arm & Subframe connnectors

"I'd rather run last in a full out race, than to NOT have run at all"
#3 Forever

 

They're easy to install. I think 99% of all GM hoods have a screw mount for them. My 1985, I installed on I got at the wrecking yards.
My 1985 Firebird, due to hood installation, I do not see where to mount it.

I even installed on on the trunk lid of my 1967 Camaro.
I "saw the light" on an old friends 1968 Firebird, got it from him. Even those old trunk lids have a special recess & screw mount for the lights. And the original wiring harness has the slot insert for power, too.
You can pick up the lights from ANY GM car in the yard, expecially the luxury cars. Get all the wiring & when ya pull the lights off that car, note where it's attached (power hook up).


Ryan,
Where did I see Hi Po engines for my S-10 Blazer?
Well, not exactly sure what you are referring to. Most of my information came from observing answers here and then checking my resources at home (my 1985 Helms shop manual for the Firebird & Blazer-the GM Tech/Shop books) & checking specs/stats in the Chiltons books. Then looking at my 2 GM Performance Power books for more specs (I have a 1994 version (very detailed!) & 98).
It was in my 1998 GM Perf Parts book I read about Crane Cams designing the 3.4 cam/head set up. Read the notes about how to make these 2.8/3.1/3.4 heads ready for 6500 RPM bursts.
I finally got both my heads off my 1985 S-10 Blazer, yesterday. Eased the back pain with lots of Jack Daniels. I'm only hoping my block is not cracked in one cylinder wall sleeve. Having a friend stop by for his response, later today. Not bothering with a cam/timing chain, as when I junk the original short block (shortly), it'll all be upgraded, then (I'm keeping cash flow down with this swap). But, I am rebuilding the original carb (Sunday) and the original distributor is 99% rebuilt. These rebuilt parts, will eventually swap onto the next upgraded short block set up, so no wasted effort. In between, I'll get better performance, too! I had SO MANY VACUUM LEAKS AND BROKEN HOSES & no vacuum advance on my distributor.
I really may try to find a 3.4 FWD block & "drill the holes" for the starter, for a North-South set up. My buddy's machine shop can easily do that. I am not sure about the flex plate set up, tho, for an automatic. I do not know enough about FWD tranny/flex plate set ups for that answer. One day.....
But, I'll just take whatever I need from the old block & swap over. THE FWD HEADS will not work. Big deal. I'm trying to figure out how to make a spacer, to raise the carb higher, on this engine, for more performance (that's all the Edelbrock one does, is raise the carb & have an adaptor for a 4-bbl). I definetly am looking at/for headers for the Blazer. I hope I find someone's throw aways for $20!

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA