foofopps

Sometimes in the morning when I start her up the voltage gauge only goes to about 9 or 10. Then sometimes it will kick up to 14 and other times it will drop all the way. I have driven for atleast 20 min with the voltage at "0" so im wondering if its the alternator beginning to crap out or just a faulty gauge. It never happens when I have time to check it out with a volt meter, it only happens when Im friggin running out the door late for work...what do you think?

The first thing i was going to do was clean the contacts and tighten up the battery and alternator cables, other than that, maybe replace the alt. PO (aka used car lot) stated it was a newer battery when I bought the car 4 months ago and I've never had a start up/cranking issue.

Bustedback

It sounds like the alternator is crapping out on you. The brushes will wear out and you will get crazy charging issues, one day it will be fine, then the next you won't have anthing.

TheKirbyMan

If the voltmeter is reading zero (needle all the way to the left, as far as it can go), then I'd suspect the gauge....if your alternator was bad, the voltmeter should still read 10-12V, or at least move when you turn the key on.

Best way to see if it's the gauge or associated wiring is to take a multimeter and check voltage at the battery when it's acting up. If the multimeter matches what the gauge reads when it's low, then you know to look at the alternator.

foofopps

Thanks guys, i'll try to check the voltage at the battery next time it acts up.