94 Trans Sport New alternator still not right

Just put in a new alternator today. Guage read correct for just a moment then fell to 12 and is staying there. Please someone help with trouble shooting. Initially car went over a bump when the problem started. All lights, engine everything went out for a second. Then came back on and lasted a few more days. So assumed the alternator was bad( it was checked at the store and voltage was low) but there seems to be more. Any and all help appreciated.

There are a few things you can do...
- check voltage at source with a handheld dc tester.
- check all your connections from battery to alternator to connection on right hand side of firewall.

I assume you disconnected battery when alternator was installed... did you connected back tightly?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/canaris/transport4.jpg

Battery was disconnected before installation. Canaris, thanks for the response. What are you pointing to on the right side? Is there a relay involved? I drove the car tonight for about six miles. Voltage flucuates with turn signals.

What Canaris points at right is the main distribution post where the cable coming from battery + connects to most circuits. Tighten that nut under red plastic cover . There is also a distribution lug at the starter connector that might be worth verifying too.
http://www.avigex.ca/xport/fusiblelinkh.jpg

Thanks again for your help. I have checked all obvious spots for a loose connection and have crawled under the car and just about inside the engine looking for something loose or frayed. I forgot to mention that the ABS light came on after the new alternator was put in. My next thought is to go to and electrical shop and have them test the harness. Maybe yes?

My suspicion is that you have a bad ground.... something is obviosly loose somewhere... your idea about testing the harness is a good one.... have it done..let us know how it turned out.

Also you said you put in a new alternator ... if you can't find any other problems you have to turn your attention to that.

$230.00 later.... I took it to an electrical shop. He work on it for 3 1/2 hours with all his fancy equipment and discovered a dead short on the engine block. I had an engine put in 4 years ago. The was a wire crimped at installation and finally broke. The tech says it only could have been done at that time. So thanks to those that offered suggestions....:thumbsup: