whats wrong

i have an 88 s-10 4.3 4 wheel drive. the volt meter went down. if i turn the lights off and the ac off it goes back up. i am thinking its the altenator. i cant get the cable off because i dont have the tools. is there anything else it could be? thanks.

well you need to get a multimeter and measure the output coming out of the alt and if that is good im gonna go ahead and say your guage is bad ive seen it a few times.

since i have had the truck the gauge has read about 14. lol. im gonna take it to advanced and let them check it. could it just be a ground wire somewhere.

Does it start fine becasue sometimes if the battery goes bad it will do that as well. Go to any local parts store and they should be able to test the altenator and battery for you.

yeah it starts fine. but when i put it in drive it goes down then.

alright so its dead now but still cranking some.

if you can get it to run, while it's running put a knife or a screw driver by the alternator top.

if it works, it will be magnetic.

if not, then you won't feel any attraction.

or disconnect the battery when its cranked, if the alt is bad it will die.....

thanks guys will let u all know.

Edited: 9/1/2007 6:52:43 PM by superstan

the update on my truck. i had a buddy boost me off and went to advanced. well the one that could check it was on lunch so i didnt have time to wait. i truned it off. needless to say he wouldnt start back til I boosted it again. i truned the air off and rode home with the windows down. got home and turned it off and then it started right back. went back 2 hours ago and it started again. its running like normal. Is there a chance the A/C could have something to do with it not charging. The battery has alot of acid around the terminals. i did the screw driver on top of the altenator. it worked good. i think it could either be the batter or the terminals. i pored pepsi on them to get the acid off.. anyone have any other ideas. i'd hate to spend money and it not be right.