Joseph

MisterSkippy wrote:
> On 24 Dec 2004 23:04:46 -0800, "Joseph" <spmok2@canada.com> wrote:
>
> >I got the Seat Belt dummy light as well as the Charge (the one with
the
> >picture of the battery) came on intermittently, but not sure how to
> >diagnose the real problem.
> >
> >The Seat Belt light just comes and go.
> >
> >The Charge light comes one intermittently also and (seems to come
only
> >when in idle). I would come to a stop light, slam on the brake and
> >that light would soon comes on. Green light, I go and the light
goes
> >off.
> >I replace the alternator with a remanufactured one in April 2003.
So
> >its got just over a year and a half on it. Battery was replaced
about
> >the same time with a remanufactured one.
> >
> >Car is old, 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (2.8L engine) with 197000
km.
> >
> >Should I suspect the alternator and get another one or is it the
> >battery ? What might cause the seat belt light? I tested the belt
on
> >a downward slop by braking hard, and it locks as it should.
>
> It could very well be the alternator. A lot of the remans aren't very
> good. How is the belt tension? Have you tested the alternator output
> at idle with a meter?
> FWIW
> YMMV
> DFB
>

Actually I havent check the output. Will do it though. By the way,
where in the car engine can I stick the positive meter probe to? I
assume the frame is the negative that the alternator is connected to.
Where is it safe to assume a positive voltage? Unfortuantely I can't
connnect directly to the alternator terminal as it is hidden by the
engine bracket when its mounted.