check gauges/low voltage

[reboot5350]

I have 97 Camaro w/3.6l v-6. Bought some bad gas and within 1 mile started running bad and all kinds of fluctuations in my guages especially the gas going from e to full. Got better gas and everything smoothed out except the charge gauge shows only 12 volts and less and will run the battery down within several miles. Voltage across battery post while running is 12v instead of 14+. Bearings in alternator are fine, and I don't want to replace it. Is't it the voltage regulator? And if so where can you find a replacement for the Delco D411 (CS144 alt.) without paying an arm and a leg? Any advice appreciated.
Reboot5350

[89IROC&RS]

hard to say, i cant imagine why bad gas would harm your electrical system. I would test your wires from the alternator to grounds and to the battery for an open, you may have fried a fuseable link causing the regulator to loose its signal and/or ground causing it to stop charging.

[reboot5350]

Thanks. I hadn't considered the fusible link possibility. The bad gas may have been coincidental and not related, but within 4 miles, my gas gauge, check gauges light, airbags inoperable light, abs malfunction light had all come on. After about 20 miles of better gas, all except the low voltage and check gauges indicator had gone back to normal. Is the fusible link on the passenger side toward firewall?
Thanks again.

[89IROC&RS]

no it is located near the front of the engine bay. Trace the wires from the alternator to ground and to the battery. One of the wires should have what looks like a section covered in black shrink wrap, that is the fuseable link. bypass it with a heavy guage wire, and see if your alternator starts charging, if it does, then its the fuseable link, if it still dosnt charge, have the alternator tested.

[reboot5350]

Thanks so much for your quick reply and info. I will check that out tomorrow and let see what's up. BTW, where is a good place to look into boosting performance on the "K" v6. At 200hp, it is not dissappointing, but more is better. Thanks again.

[89IROC&RS]

youre welcome, as far as performance for the V6, you could try

www.RKsport.com

or some grand prix websites, and such, but pretty much all i know of is good ol fasioned hot rodding, youll have to pull the engine apart, port polish and modify it to make more power, maybe have a custom camshaft made for it. that kinda stuff.