1988 Acting Odd? Alternator Issue?

[SlipperyPete]

I have had my '88 for about three years and have never had any issues. The other day I was driving and all of a sudden it seemingly lost most of the power when accelerating and the main gauges all stopped working (gas, engine temp...) and the charge battery light came on. No turn indicators either. The clock and radio still function, and the interior light comes on. It really struggles to get up to speed as well. I changed out the battery as it was old, but that didnt get me anywhere. Checked all the fuses and such and am just not sure whats up?? I am assuming it to be the alternator possibly, but thought I would see if anyone had any ideas to help a brother out! Thanks!

 

[m1ke777]

to check alternator start up truck, disconnect negative battery if it dies, its the alternator, if not your good I believe

 

[Hyde802]

Or put a volt meter on it. Make sure its reading around 14v.

 

[SlipperyPete]

to check alternator start up truck, disconnect negative battery if it dies, its the alternator, if not your good I believe

Ive heard that can be a bad way to go about it? Is that safe? Sorry, I just havent ever done anything like this before!

 

[fourwd1]

Start by checking the battery voltage with engine off and running.
Off should be 12.6V and on should be 13.8 minimum. Then while running turn on the lights, heater blower, etc and see how much the voltage changes under a load.

 

[the_dingman]

Stop into AutoZone and have them put a tester on it. They can test it with everything in the vehicle. (Shameless plug, AZ Manager here)...

Anyway, the 22RE can run off the battery alone for a good while if the battery is good. I ran 60 miles a day for a few months with a shot alternator, charging the battery every night.