battery problems

[BigRand]

Okay, so I've been having fun with my car all week and now the battery light goes on. I haven't got a chance to check everything....but I know the battery is getting 12v when the car is off and is charged up. I'm thinking it has something to do with the alternator belt, or alternator itself. The car has a little trouble starting up (but thats because its really rich, the way I have it set up.) The car used to idle fine, but now my wideband is saying that its way lean. I didn't have the lean a/f until the battery light came on. Any suggestions?

 

[weith1111]

Go to a local autozone, they will test the charging system for free and tell you if the battery is holding and charging properly and if the alternator is putting out enough to the battery. If your alternator is on it's way out, the battery could be recouperating each time as best it can, and will eventually crap out.

 

[hereitcomes]

Hmm...if you say your car is running rich and the A/F gauge is reading lean, thats pretty weird. Im going to have to go with the gauge readout on this one.

Are you experiencing any idle problems at all?? Or does the car want to die at idle or idle very rough?

 

[BigRand]

Car sounds like, and idles fine, exactly how it did when I got off the dyno.....I just think the gauge is going haywire because of lack of power....I dumped a lot of fuel into it at idle and it didn't even move so I know the car is running fine.....(besides it not charging up right).


Well I had it tested today...yep its my alternator.....Looks like I should have swapped it out when I built my motor. Gonna fix it on monday. Looks like all the gadgets and screens and gauges put a nice strain on the old one......I think its time for a nice grounding kit as well.