Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 09:48:16 -0800
From: Kit Redwine <kredwine@domain.elided>
Subject: GTV6 alternator problem--question 2
Hi again,
My '86 GTV6 has about 140K on it. I don't know if the alternator has ever
been replaced or worked on. For the past few months, the batter light on
the dash regularly glows red, especially with the radio, fan, or wipers on.
Under 1500 or so RPMs the radio won't even work at all. The fan works great
but the wipers and windows are slooooooooooow.
This is not necessarily indicative of a problem with your alternator.
Fred (or others) can explain the physics behind this, but it's
usually not a major problem. Try cleaning all your fuses and the
junction on the LF inner fender that joins the fusebox (2 wires), the
alternator, and the battery. GTV6 wipers are unfortunately slow, for
a variety of oft-debated reasons. The radio failure makes me think
that the afformentioned major junction is excessively dirty and may
eventually prevent your car from starting.