New alternator, new prob 86 330zx

[dos4ever]

Hello everyone. Yesterday I replaced the alternator in my 86 ZX because the battery light was starting to flicker under load. After about 4.5 hours I got the job done. Everything seemed OK for 24 hours but I drove about 100 miles today and after I got off the freeway, ALL my dash lights came on! The whole trip out, the voltage gauge was reading good. Just about 14 volts. But after the dash lights came on, it dropped to right on 12volts. If I drove without any load (brake lights, turn signals, etc.), the dash lights would eventually go out. But the meter never got back up over about 12.5 volts. Do you think the new alternator is defective? I'll go back and make sure I tightened all the connections down but I'm pretty sure I got 'em tight. Or is this a symptom of another problem altogether? Thanks in advance!

OOPS! Sorry for the typo in the title!

[carnut1]

Yes, I think the alternator is defective or the large supply voltage wire is loose on the alternator.

[dos4ever]

Yeah. It was defective. Had to drive 30 miles to get another one, too. Everything seems to be working OK now. Thanks for the reply!

[dos4ever]

I'm on my third replacement alternator now! But for some reason, I don't think it's my car that's killin' them. Just crappy rebuilds from Autozone. At least they've been giving me free replacements but it sucks having to do the work!