H E L P

[Michael Dewar - Sun Scotland]

It might just be the alternator drive belt that needs adjusted.

Regards,
Mike

> 
> I had a problem with my car this morning. It is an 89 100. It is a rainy
> day so when I left for work I had on my wipers, headlights, radio and
> heat. As I was going I thought I noticed the dash lights getting dimmer.
> Some of the dash lights are burned out but I can normally see the
> voltage gauge but I couldn't see it. As I pulled off the Parkway I was
> able to shine some light on it and saw that it was below 12v. Not
> wanting to get stuck 20 miles away from home I turned around and headed
> back. No sooner had I turned around then the battery warning light came
> up on the dash and the dash lights got dimmer. On the Parkway back
> (praying all the way) the car would sputter, the dash lights would
> flicker high and low and other warning lights would flicker on and off.
> I think the only thing I was missing was the robot from "Lost in Space"
> shouting "WARNING, WARNING!!!". I turned off the headlights but left on
> the parking lights, off with the radio and heater and just used the
> wipers on an as needed basis. As I was driving the sputtering and light
> flickering went away and by the time I got home I was able to put my
> lights back on and I could see that the voltmeter was now over 12v.
> Ok, what should I be looking for on this. Altenator or Voltage
> regulator? I know it was running off the battery but if the altenator
> was bad would the battery have recharged itself in the 20 miles back
> home? Any insight would be GREATLY appreciated
> Thanks
> Mike Williams
>