Alternator problem

[huafist]

Hey gang,
I've been having problems with batteries dying the last week or so. I've tested the voltage and with the car running I'm coming back with 14.55VDC, which of course is in spec. I flipped my Fluke over to Amperage, and I'm coming back with only 4.45A. I've tested this at the battery AND at the alt fuse. I'm no alternator guru, but this DEFINITELY seems wrong to me. Any ideas as to what the problem could be? Could failing brushes cause a drop in amperage?

 

[sonicnofadz]

You don't even need to bother using a multimeter. The problem is pretty obvious. If your battery is dying, guess what, your alternator isn't supplying enough energy to recharge it. Make sure your alternator belt is still attached, if it is, replace your alternator. It also could be your battery needs to be replaced because it can no longer hold a proper charge. Have your battery tested at autozone for free.

 

[Defiant]

That's as far as this is going. Both of you, go sit in the corner.

 

[Defiant]

By request, we'll try again. Any more shit, and it won't close. It'll be deleted.

 

[dsmotorsports]

You can have a lot of voltage, and still have no amperage, if you are only getting 4.5 amps you have a bad alternator, eaven if the battery is bad, if you don't fix the problem when this stuff occurs it will kill your ecu in the process if the caps are weak. Have fun replacing your alt. because it is a beotch.

 

[huafist]

You can have a lot of voltage, and still have no amperage, if you are only getting 4.5 amps you have a bad alternator, eaven if the battery is bad, if you don't fix the problem when this stuff occurs it will kill your ecu in the process if the caps are weak. Have fun replacing your alt. because it is a beotch.

Apparently my fluke was on crack. The alt is fine, the advance machine said it was pumping out 50-some odd amps.
The problem was electrical wiring - the switch for the glovebox light wasn't working properly, so the light was on constantly. The + wire for the radio was also grounding out (there's no radio in the car, I'm getting ready to put a computer in it's place). I fixed both problems, and we'll see if it still kills the battery.