Charging issue, don't know squat about electricity

[dgleichner]

My voltmeter reads about 12 when I am idling with the AC on. If I turn on a blinker, the needle pulses with the blinks. Is that a sign of needing a new battery (the one in the car is probably @ 5 years old), or is it the alternator? When I had problems with my older Tbird, I took it to Autozone and they hooked it up and let me know what the prob was. Any input??

[dgleichner]

Sorry Mods, should have put this under the other forum for problems like this. Please move it for me, Thanks Doug

[RJolly87]

This forum should do fine. Does the voltage jump right back up when you hit the gas? Take it in to Autozone just to have them put the machine on it. Something could be getting weak. I have the exact issue with my car, but I have replaced both the alternator, and battery, admittedly not because of this issue, but they did not affect it at all. I suspect the alternator is just not able to keep up with the load at idle. The machine at autozone would tell you if there is anything obviously wrong however.

[Kenter]

i am new here but i have had the same problems i have a 93 give this a try take the power leads off the starter and give both the cables and the starter studs a good cleaning till they shine connect it all back up i have to do this every 4 or 5 months

oh and remeber to discontect the battery when you do this