My car isn't charging over 10 volts

This causes the car to start and idle but not drive farther then 100 ft before dying

Starter went out one day so changed it first ( after this change is when the problem started )

Also changed this list after trying to solve the problem

Battery turminals
Fuses
Battery
Alternator

I have no clue what to even try and replace now? Could the starter itself be causing the problem?

alternator is where your power comes from, battery probably good if you could get the car to start, but ran outta juice since the alternator isn't charging it. easy fix if its in a decent spot, done it on the highway before

Ya unluckily alternator was the first thing I changed and still not fixed

Verify your starter wiring. Check for a fusible link on the positive wire to the starter and the alternator. Check the alternator exciter wire for voltage and continuity.

This post was edited by FMX_89 on Nov 1 2017 03:57pm

its your voltage regulator.
your welcome


The voltage regulator will allow the alternator to make enough power to maintain proper voltage level, but not allow system voltage to rise to a harmful level. With regulators for the alternator system, voltage limiting is the means of controlling output.

its gatta be the wiring

That's inside the alternator so can't be it I've replaced mine

get a different alternator. ive had this same issue with a similar era GM vehicle and it just happend that the new/rebuilt alternator had a smoked reg.
literally the only thing it could be (unless there sensor going to the cpu and the cpu is toast)
have you tried having the vehicle scanned? or taken it to a shop? sometimes these things require a pro.

if your only getting 10 volts this is what's bad.
i had brand new alternator not work right out the box.
if your alternator is only kicking out 10 volts its got a bad voltage regulator.

On the back of the alt. theres a little box. It will say ground here to test this is for testing the regulator if you ground it and it stays the same the regulator is bad. either way the regulator is not that cheap so I would change the whole alt. just make sure its not a bad connection hope this helps.

This post was edited by fireball68 on Nov 1 2017 05:30pm