Question about Battery and voltmeter and heater

[GsiNovaKev]

Hi guys im new here and dont have alot of mechanical or electrical knowledge, i have had a search onm the forums to find an answer, but was unable to find anything, if there is an answer then if u could point us in the right direction that would be gratefull, anyway the question is for a LHD 1.6 GSI 1990 black.
When i start up, the voltmeter only ever goes to half the reading on the dash, i have put new battery on but no difference. It runs down to red when i have stereo, lights and heating on, but goes back up to half when its all turned off, anything i should be checking? I have problem starting after its been sat a couple of days, but it does start.
Also, another question regarding the heater, it blows hot air out of the side vents but only blows cool ar through the centre vents, how can i get into the pipes to check nothing broken, or clogging it etc?
Also, is it possible to electric windows on the car? and what car should i get the parts from?

[Shaun_O'Donnell]

Could be your Alternator that's on the way out.

Your heater vents are doing the correct job.

Use the full electric window kit from a Nova with electric windows.

Welcome BTW.

[AlexW]

Does the idle drop with everything on?

[GsiNovaKev]

Hey, cheers for responses, and to answer AW06 yeah the idle drops when everthing is switched on.

[meritlover]

where are you taking the voltage reference for the meter? if you're taking it off the accessory or dash circuit then its no wonder you see a voltage drop. ideally it should be wired directly across the battery posts using a separate circuit.
if the idle drops under load then it sounds like the alternator is working, either that or its not and the voltage drop is causing the fuel pump to slow, pressure to drop and the injector opening times to decrease.

you will have to get out a digital volt meter and diagnose one step at a time.

[Jack]

Also, another question regarding the heater, it blows hot air out of the side vents but only blows cool ar through the centre vents, how can i get into the pipes to check nothing broken, or clogging it etc?
Thats normal, its how they're designed.

[GsiNovaKev]

where are you taking the voltage reference for the meter? if you're taking it off the accessory or dash circuit then its no wonder you see a voltage drop. ideally it should be wired directly across the battery posts using a separate circuit.
if the idle drops under load then it sounds like the alternator is working, either that or its not and the voltage drop is causing the fuel pump to slow, pressure to drop and the injector opening times to decrease.

you will have to get out a digital volt meter and diagnose one step at a time.

Sorry bud dont really understand, my dumbness not your fault. Its just on the voltmeter on the instrument panel the needle only goes halfway. Sometimes goes a little over but its never full

[let_nova]

they dont go full. only just go up past half. get a new alternator.

[GsiNovaKev]

Cheers guys, that put me mind at rest, i was unsure, never had a nova before so just got a bit worried things werent working properly. Anyways, will be doing a few things to it in the future so ill probably be asking more questions in the future. Thanks again