General Maintenance & Repairs - Alternator Issue - Car Stranded Me Last Night

Hey all,

Picked up my Trans Am on May 27th. Dealer had installed a new serpentine belt & alternator among other unrelated parts.

Skip forward to last night (And approx 1000 miles later): While getting on it last night my check gauges light came on. I looked down and didn't see any gauges that were really far off. I did notice that the voltage gauge was down under 13, so I assumed that's what was going on. Popped the hood, looked for loose wires, etc., didn't really see much. Revved the motor and the check gauges light turns off above 4000 RPM or so. (I assume it's charging "enough" at that RPM level?) Drove 25 miles and the voltage dropped to 8.5. Several warning lights had come on (ASC, ABS, Air Bag, Brake, etc.) and I figured it was time to stop as the car started to buck under load. Car would not start once I turned it off (obviously) and only clicks now as the battery is drained.

Does this sound like I over spun the alternator? Just a bad alternator in general? Something shook loose while I was getting on it? Etc.?

Thanks!

have the battery checked,

since its a 'new' alt, that might not be the problem

have the battery checked,

since its a 'new' alt, that might not be the problem

Looks to be a new battery as well. Car drained it to 8.5 volts down from 13 during a 25 mile drive. Whatever the case I am going to grab a new battery for it to get it to my buddies house so we can pull some things to get tested.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/1287967-fix-my-endless-alternator-failures.html

Tow it back to the dealer. Demand they fix it and cover the tow bill.

Looks to be a new battery as well. Car drained it to 8.5 volts down from 13 during a 25 mile drive. Whatever the case I am going to grab a new battery for it to get it to my buddies house so we can pull some things to get tested.

yup, i had a similar problem and it was my battery, albeit was a optima :eyes: also check for cracked sp wires, and the gaps of the plugs. Next check to see how snug the serpentine belt is, i think the tolerance was 1/4inch tug or something?, also make sure ur belt wasnt torn or anything, some belts are known to slip/tear/bend a rib
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/197/picture235z.jpg thats might not have caused any of your problems but its definitely worth a look

Brand new serp. belt. It was the alternator. Put a new one in and it was fine. But, the new alternator went bad too (wtf?!) and have ANOTHER one in there - upgraded but still remanned. Ugh. We'll see how long this lasts. 3 alternators in 2 days.

see post 4 !!!!