gonefishin

Please help! I have an 87 IROC 350. Just recently, my alternator guage started reading very low. I put a batter tester on the battery, and only read 11.6 volts while running. I removed the alternator and had it tested, its putting out 14 amps. My fans have also quit working. I have read MANY posts here and on other sites, most lead me to a bad ground. I have replaced both battery cables, removed and cleaned the 2 grounds near the battery that ground to the fender and radiator support, and I removed and cleaned the grounds that connect to the back of the head on the drivers side of the engine. I have tested all fisible links and found them OK. I have traced the fan wiring and the alternator wiring and run ohm tests, and all seems OK. The rest of the guages work, as well as all other electric items in the car (horn, radio, power windows/locks, lights, etc.) Any body have any suggestions? Also, strangely enough, I have an aftermarket radio in the car, and if it is turned off, occasionally when I honk the horn the radio turns on (it has a feature where if you touch any button it turns on). Don't know if its related, but thought I would mention it.

BRobinson

Wow...this is odd. Have you double checked the ground for the radio? Weird things happen when a ground isn't right.

gonefishin

Tell me what y'all think........I found my fan fuse blown. I replaced it with a good one, and........waalaa, my alternator began charging at 14 amps, and my guage began reading as it should. HOW IN THE HELL IS THE FAN CIRCUIT TIED IN TO THE CHARGING SYSTEM???????????? I DON'T GET IT................

Trickster

Because the brown wire in the harness going to the alternator is linked to the fan fuse and relay and also a fusible link at the starter solenoid.