Chevy 305 charging system ?

Question

I have put a rebuilt 1982 model 305 in my 89 s10 and Ive been having trouble keeping the battery up ? How many volts should it be getting ? Is it possible that my alternator is going bad ? If you need more info I will be glad to post more just ask. Thanks

Thank you for all of the responses....so far I have done what you all said such as taking off the lead wire and no it didnt spark and checking the wiring connections to the batter/alternator/starter and they are all clean and snug. I think I will just have to take it and have it checked out at autozone or something but the only problem with that is keeping it running to get to the store because I need to replace the fuel pump with a bigger one lol

Answer 1

I recommend taking your s10 to get the starting/charging system checked. many places under 20 bucks. specifically check the diodes. bad diodes will allow the charge to be correct (13.8 +/- .5) volts. however won't put out the correct kind of charge. (AC vs. DC current.) sneaky little electrons. also they will check the battery making sure it's capable of doing what it's supposed to. a weak battery will not allow the alternator to charge properly. the battery supplies voltage to power up the electromagnets in the alternator so that the alternator can charge the battery. talk about the circle of life. there can also be a wiring problem breaking the circle. hope this helps. good luck.

Answer 2

There are some issues which you're able to do to truly develop overall performance, yet those mods won't do an outstanding purchase. yet i encourage you. i admire Chevy autos, and that i additionally love 305 engines. Truck engines are greater acceptable than the vehicle engines, besides. so which you have already got a leg up. Get a ok&N air clear out. which will value around $50. Use Bosch platinum spark plugs. Have the plugs ideal overgapped for greater effective spark. Use some severe high quality spark plug wires, like Accel, Taylor type, or MSD. Use Royal pink motor oil. those mods will value you around...$2 hundred or so. you will benefit around ten greater desirable horsepower. additionally, have the timing progressed a sprint bit on the engine. that will develop low end overall performance. And, that could be a freebie! stable success with your Truck!

Answer 3

Start your engine and while it is running pull the positive cable off your battery.If the engine dies the alternator isn't charging.The battery could be bad also.I've seen a bad battery do some strange things.If you pull the positive cable off with the engine not running and it sparks,this is not neccesarily a sign of a bad alternator,but an indication that there is a short somewhere.

Answer 4

13.8VDC minimum from the alternator output while idling.

ADDED:
It is possible, though not common, for an alternator to charge just fine, but when the engine is turned off, voltage returns to ground though the alternator because of a bad rectifier and drain the battery.

With the engine off, CAREFULLY remove the primary charge wire from the alternator. If it sparks when you remove the wire, it's likely a bad alternator.

Answer 5

You should be charging at 13.3-14.0 volts Check ALL of your connections at your battery, aternator, and starter. Make sure they are clean an tight. Update us after you've checked that

Answer 6

normal alt output 14 to 16 volts...if its putting it out its a bad battery