Electrical problem

[Tigchamp]

Last night I put the car into second to do an overtaking manouvre, half way past the car I was overtaking I got a couple of pops out of the exhaust, the head light went brighter then went out all together, then main beam went shortly afterwards fuses and bulbs are ok. now the battery warning light glows but gets brighter if I rev the engine, at the same time the abs warning light and the low water light comes on(when I rev). I have cleaned the baterry terminals. Any ideas.
Jeff. (I have a 93 GTO TT)

[steve]

Check the voltage at the battery at idle, it sounds like the alternator died. It should be more than 13v and less then 15.

[Tigchamp]

Thank's Steve I will try that just as soon as I figure out how to use My multimeter.LOL
Jeff.

[ballermj23]

yea check your alternator. can't you also remove the positive side of the battery to see if the alternator can keep the car on?

[steve]

can't you also remove the positive side of the battery to see if the alternator can keep the car on?

Doing so risks what's called an alternator load dump where the output voltage spikes and can blow up the other electronics in the car.

Far safer to measure the voltage. It shouldn't ever drop below 13v when the car is running or go over 15v. A good alternator should provide something between 13.6v and 14.8v depending on the temp under the hood even when you have the lights, blower motor, and defroster on.

From what he described I'm a bit surprised that the headlight bulbs are still good, it sounded like the voltage regulator spiked blowing out the bulbs and then died.