rodw@shark.UUCP (Rod Wilson) (12/15/83)
This may be of interest. The voltimeter on my car (an 83 Trans Am) the past couple of days has dropped from 14 to 11 volts. Yup, it wouldn't start today. Checked the fan belt for the alternator and it was loose. Now it's showing 14+ volts once again after a recharge and adjustment of the alternator. Hope that's settled, and can be of help to someone. Also, watch out for battery cables barely hanging on to the battery posts! Anyone have any similar ordeals to share. Am still interested in positive recommendations for both shocks and tires. Thanks to those for the suggestions.
dmmartindale@watrose.UUCP (Dave Martindale) (12/19/83)
I was recently alerted to a loose alternator belt by a "chirp" that occurred when the engine speed increased rapidly (I was speeding up the engine in preparation for downshifting) on a wet day. It wasn't yet slipping under ordinary conditions, but the combination of wet weather and heavy electrical load (headlights, rear defogger, heater fan plus fuel pump) and rapid change in engine speed caused a momentary slippage. Moral: Know your car's noises. Investigate new ones. They may be trying to tell you something. Dave Martindale