Poor charging, high draw - '82 CGT

[Ti Kan]

TWFAUST at aol.com writes:
> My knowledge of electricity may be analogized to sitting Hannibal at a piano. 
> Here are the symptoms. When I turn my heater on, the meter reading drops from 
> 13 to 12 volts. If, in addition, I turn on the headlights the meter drops to 
> 11 volts. Occasionally the alternator belt will screech (it seems tight). I am 
> worried. Can anyone tell me what I am worried about?

The volt gauge is notorious for doing that on the type 81/85 cars,
because the wiring to the gauge are subject to voltage losses and are
thus not accurate when more electrical consumers are turned on.
Sometimes I joke about these gauges being an auxiliary "inverse VU meter"
for the stereo, because as you crank up the sound the gauge needle
dances with the tunes.

Use a multimeter to test the actual voltage at the battery. It will be
a far more useful reading than what the volt gauge tells you.

As for belt screeching, try adjusting the tension of the alternator belt.  
If it still screeches, maybe the belt and/or the pulleys are glazed.
Replace the belt and clean the pulleys.

-Ti
-- 
Ti Kan
http://www.amb.org/ti
Vorsprung durch Technik