'87 4kq: temporary no-juice condition

[TEX TERRY, II]

From: "Andrew Buc" <abuc at attglobal.net>
(snip)
I was on an errand a couple of miles from home today, and suddenly the
windshield wipers began running much slower than their normal speed. And
then
the car started losing power for maybe 5 or 10 seconds, and I noticed that
the
digital voltmeter was at the bottom of its scale (8V). I shut off all
lights
and accessories and headed for home. The car began running OK again, but
the
voltmeter stayed at 8V.
I got home, and after maybe a minute, the voltmeter came back up to ~12V. I
tried the wipers, and they ran fine. That was all a few hours ago. I just
went
out and tried starting the car (no problem there), and the voltmeter was at
~14V. I don't remember the alternator light coming on earlier. I can't rule
out
the possibility that it came on and I missed it because I was concentrating
on
the other things going on, but I'd think it would be pretty hard to miss.
(snip)

Back in 1979, when I had my 1975 100LS, the same thing happened to me.
Next morning I started checking things, and I found that the alternator
belt was loose.  I adjusted the belt, and everything was back to normal.
If your belt is worn, along with the possibility of getting wet, while
driving in the rain, then the belt may have started slipping, and not
turning the alternator at full speed.

Tex Terry, II
83 5kt sedan (non-quattro)
Franklin, PA  USA