# 1990 300ZX alternator charges too low!

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-300zx-alternator-charges-too-low/12393>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [March 31, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-300zx-alternator-charges-too-low/12393 "2008-03-31T03:49:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![madetosink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@madetosink](https://community.cartalk.com/u/madetosink)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-300zx-alternator-charges-too-low/12393/1 "2008-03-31T03:49:58Z")

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Ok, so I’ve replaced the alternator already with a known working alternator, and started with a hot battery. The problem is that the alternator charges at 11.60 volts without the headlights on. Is there some kind of load on the battery? Is there a short or bad ground? Please help!  
  
  
  
 Thanks,  
  
 Made

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**Author:** ![JayWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@JayWB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayWB)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 5:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1990-300zx-alternator-charges-too-low/12393/2 "2008-03-31T05:12:45Z")

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Check the output at the rear of the alternator. If it’s different from what you’re reading at the battery you’ve blown a fusible link, which is a fusable length of wire in the wiring harness.