Bad Alternator??
06-22-2009, 01:26 AM
#1
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Bad Alternator?? Well, first off Ill explain the background.
Ive had the car for a little over a year and Im currently on my 3rd battery. They are all quality batteries and always test good when put in the car. Every single time I get the Alt tested as well and it passes with flying colors. Charges at right at 14.4V and gets the green light.
Tonight I notice something. I turned on the A/C and the voltage drops from a tiny bit about 13 to almost the little yellow hash marks. I rev up the car and it goes back up to around 13. As soon as I start idling again the lights dim and the voltage dropped again.
Now, is this a pretty clear cut and dry dying alternator?
Ive had the car for a little over a year and Im currently on my 3rd battery. They are all quality batteries and always test good when put in the car. Every single time I get the Alt tested as well and it passes with flying colors. Charges at right at 14.4V and gets the green light.
Tonight I notice something. I turned on the A/C and the voltage drops from a tiny bit about 13 to almost the little yellow hash marks. I rev up the car and it goes back up to around 13. As soon as I start idling again the lights dim and the voltage dropped again.
Now, is this a pretty clear cut and dry dying alternator?
06-22-2009, 09:14 AM
#5
Hows that excitor wire doing? That could be the problem too.
I suggest getting a PepBoys Pro-Start brand. $149.00, Lifetime warranty. I have one and its great. Never drops off even at idle with the A/C blasting and my 1,000 watt system cranking with the headlights on. Not even a tiny little drop.
Also, if its not the alternator when you put it in, you can return it. Then look at the excitor wire.
.
I suggest getting a PepBoys Pro-Start brand. $149.00, Lifetime warranty. I have one and its great. Never drops off even at idle with the A/C blasting and my 1,000 watt system cranking with the headlights on. Not even a tiny little drop.
Also, if its not the alternator when you put it in, you can return it. Then look at the excitor wire.
.
Last edited by LS6427; 06-22-2009 at 09:19 AM.
06-22-2009, 09:43 PM
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do you have a multimeter? battery voltage should be 12.5vdc and with the engine running the voltage should be 13.5vdc. if it's over that or under you have a alternator problem.
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06-22-2009, 09:46 PM
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Forgot to post this. Went and got it tested, here are the results.
Battery: 12.53 volts when running, 741 CCA
Alt: 13.8V with it loaded and unloaded. If Ive read correctly on here it should be around 14.4-6 while being loaded.
Battery: 12.53 volts when running, 741 CCA
Alt: 13.8V with it loaded and unloaded. If Ive read correctly on here it should be around 14.4-6 while being loaded.
06-23-2009, 09:53 PM
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PepBoys can blow me with all of their garbage alternators. I went through about 4-5. And the workers there try to give me some bullshit about how the problem is with my car, and when I get it tested, it fails. I will never step into a PepBoys ever again. (I also did an "Electrical Check" while I was having the problem, guess what they said my car was OK. Wrong. Autozone, NAPA, or Advanced it is.
I replaced the wire that goes into the alternator, along with getting a new battery, and alternator. Problem fixed. I dont know the brand alt i have, but I went with an Optima Red Top.
06-23-2009, 10:05 PM
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GOOD
PepBoys can blow me with all of their garbage alternators. I went through about 4-5. And the workers there try to give me some bullshit about how the problem is with my car, and when I get it tested, it fails. I will never step into a PepBoys ever again. (I also did an "Electrical Check" while I was having the problem, guess what they said my car was OK. Wrong. Autozone, NAPA, or Advanced it is.
I replaced the wire that goes into the alternator, along with getting a new battery, and alternator. Problem fixed. I dont know the brand alt i have, but I went with an Optima Red Top.
PepBoys can blow me with all of their garbage alternators. I went through about 4-5. And the workers there try to give me some bullshit about how the problem is with my car, and when I get it tested, it fails. I will never step into a PepBoys ever again. (I also did an "Electrical Check" while I was having the problem, guess what they said my car was OK. Wrong. Autozone, NAPA, or Advanced it is.
I replaced the wire that goes into the alternator, along with getting a new battery, and alternator. Problem fixed. I dont know the brand alt i have, but I went with an Optima Red Top.
Everyone I know with F-Bodies use them, for like 7 years now and I have one now. I have never once heard of an issue with anyone.
06-23-2009, 10:08 PM
#13
For the alternator, if you need it, go to Advance Auto then, they carry the same ones I believe. Lifetime warranty.
Get this and splice it in....use BUTT connectors that can be heated to shrink around the wire. DO NOT solder it on.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS1-A...Q5fAccessories
06-24-2009, 12:11 AM
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I dont think I will. I saw the wire coming in from the top but no way can I get to it from the top. Impossible for me with my long arms.
I might try to get it from the bottom. Until I finish moving its on the back burner unfortunately.
I might try to get it from the bottom. Until I finish moving its on the back burner unfortunately.