getting on the highway, coming off the on ramp, shift into 4th and I hear a CLUNK! my headlights go dim, dash goes dim, brake light and battery light come on... I turn on my highbeams and my radio turns off. sooooo.... got off at the next exit, turned around and went home. Obviously something wrong w/the electrical... don't think it's the battery 'cuz its pretty new, so maybe something wrong with the alternator? car still starts right now, but it takes the starter motor a couple turns before it catches~ all the aforementioned lights still light up and the lights that should light up are now dim as shiet... any suggestions? How exactly do go about checking the alternator? (I'm clueless when it comes to electricity) I have a FSM for my S14, but all it has is a diagram of the various components of the alternator and the schematics for the wiring... which I can't read (correctly)

 

turn on your car and check your battery voltage, should be above 12 volt (well, i think it should be 13-14). if it's below 12, you have a bad alternator, or bad connection somewhere

 

you sure your battery didn't fall over??

I know it sounds dumb, but ya never know.

Check your obvious ground sites too!

 

no i dont think its the battery, is thier any kind of nocking or a whining sound when its on, check ALL your fuses, if you find out the problem let me know.