Okay, it looks like my replacement alternator is 14.0 volts at the
alternator, 13.28 volts at the battery.  Is this too big a drop?  Should
I clean up the battery--alternator connection?  I've had  bad history of
failing alternators with this van (1 a year, almost) so could this be my
underlying problem?

Thanks...
wes

By the way, would this really explain my starter motor's behavior?
(Starting 1 in 5 times, with no turnover at all when it doesn't start,
and otherwise, starting right away)

Daniel L. Katz wrote:
> wes:
>
> most likely the battery is shot.
>
> assuming that the replacement alternator is working ok (say 13.25 - 14.5 V
> across the battery terminals when running), and has had time to charge up
> the batery, the battery is probably at fault.
>
> sometimes batteries fail becasue they develop too much internal
> resistance, yet may pass a hydrometer test, and also show the standard
> 12.25 V across the terminals (with no load).
>
> given the symptoms, and assuming the alternator is working ok and has had
> time to charge the battery, if she fires up easily with a jump, then the
> battery is almost certainly at fault.
>
> dan
>
> On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 15:43:05 -0600, Wesley Alden Pegden
> <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU> wrote:
>
>
>> Hi guys,
>> I'm having frustrating electrical (I think) problems.
>>
>> First, my van ('84 manual) wouldn't start.  Headlights would come on
>>
> (battery okay) and they would dim when I turned the ignition (so power was
> getting to the starter), but it wouldn't turn.  I heard a click when I
> would turn the key, and again when I would release it.
>
>> I ordered a rebuilt starter, and finally got around to installing it
>>
> today.  It started twice in a row, so I thought it was okay, but then the
> third time it didn't, and I realized I was back where I started.  It
> starts maybe one out of 5 times, and when it starts, it starts right away.
>
>> The battery is right at 12.0 volts with the car off.  With the key turned
>>
> all the way (but when it fails to start) it drops to 11.4.  If it starts,
> it sits at 11.6.  So now I figure maybe my alternator is bad.  I had an
> extra alternator, so I put it in, but absolutely nothing has changed, and
> so  now I'm stumped.
>
>> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
>>
>> -Wes
>>
>
>