alternator help!!

[mwerling1212 1]

I have been having problems with my serpentine belt or alternator. It was slipping on startup, and when i accelerate my voltage drops to about 12. i tightened the belt and the squealing went away, but the voltage still drops to 12. it stays at 12 until i start crusing. I had a gu ytell me i needed the oem belt because 1996 isuzu rodes have a terrible belt design. My dilema is that im about to instal my system, but im not sure if it is just the belt, or is my alternator bad? Also if someone could tell me how to test my alternator that would be great. i have a dmm if it requires one. thanks!

[bigrank916 72]

Take it to the auto parts store and have them do a load test. Its free.

[mwerling1212 1]

o yea i completely forgot about that! im heading there now so ill report back if its the alternator or not.

[mwerling1212 1]

ok i checked it and the alt is fine. so apparently its my belt? Is it possible that it's glazed over and slipping when i accelerate? i dont really want to buy a new belt if its something else.

[bigrank916 72]

It sounds like the belt. Not too expensive though.

[slim2fattycake 85]

Is it an oem alt or high output?

[bigrank916 72]

Is it an oem alt or high output?

I believe its OEM.

How old is the belt to start with?

[mwerling1212 1]

im not sure on how old it is, i just got the car a month ago. i did some research and i think its just glazed over from all the heat it went through from slipping at startup. i went ahead and bought a belt, but i wont be able to swap it until tonight or tomorrow. And yes it is a stock alt.

Edited April 22, 2010 by mwerling1212