Hey everyone,

Now I have been having some pretty strange charging problems (previous posts), but I something popped into my head that I should have asked about a while back.

First off: 79 Ranchero w/302

During the last summer, I distinctly remember measuring the voltage across the battery while the engine was running and the alternator was "charging" the battery. The voltage showed only about 12.5, so I assumed the alternator wasn't doing it's job. However, one of the times, I measured the voltage from the positive battery post to the fender, and it showed 14.2 volts! Now how can that happen?

I had a lot of trouble trying to get accurate readings during the summer. It would sometimes show 14.1 on the battery, so I'd drive it around, come back, still the same. The next day when I would start it up, it would only show 12.5 - 12.6 again.

I had already replaced cables, connections, and the voltage regulator. I'm pretty convinced that the alternator is shot, but it still confuses me on how the multimeter showed 14.2 on the battery to fender, but only 12.5 on the battery alone.

My battery is grounded to the engine, which is grounded to the firewall. I even have the alternator grounded extra with a strap to the engine.

Other than replacing the alternator (which I'm going to do this break), does anyone have any ideas why this did this?

I just have this feeling that I'm going to bring my alt into the parts store and it's going to test good....

 

And I forgot to add: When i measured the voltage on the positive terminal on the alternator, it showed only 5-6 volts