Alternator problem. I think?
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Alternator problem. I think? Hey guys the battery power level has been below the 13 normal line for about a little less than a month. Today when driving the car I noticed it getting lower to about the first mark on the voltage meter. Then it kept going down. It went all the way down until all of the guages in the car shut down and the electrical guage concerning the miles went out also. It ran for about three to four minutes after that and then completely shut down. I had someone charge the battery with their car and thenit started like 10 minutes later. It ran for about 5 minutes which thankfully got me back to work. Then it died again completely once i pulled in to my spot at the office. Now my question is do you think it is the alternator as well. I put a new battery in about 3 months ago. So I know it's not the battery. Do you think if I ran another's car charge to it for fifteen minutes after work that it would get me back to my house at least which is about 8-9 miles away from where I work? Any help or input on this subject would be greatly appreciated. I believe it is the alternator bc I think that is what charges the car's battery while running right? Any ideas on where to get a new one? I looked at GM parts direct and their price was $334.88. Not really wanting to spend that much. Should I try f-bod cars in junk yards and maybe take that one or should I get one that has been refurbished? Or the other option buy one from GM parts direct? I would really appreciate fast inputm bc I do get out of work in 3 hours. Thank you guys!
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Well thank you for your input. Unfortunately the advance auto part stores in South Florida do not install parts except for batteries and winshield wiper blades. I just got off the phone with my local advance store. They can do a check on it to see if that is what is bad. But they will not install the actual product. But somebody on here has to have had this problem before. Please post up some useful information.
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Sorry about the last sentence in that last post. It was not directed towards you or anybody here. I am just extremely frustrated with this car. Problem after problem is constantly arising. I have spent way too much money on this car already and I am extremely upset.
Sounds exactly like the alternator. I had a similar situation a few months back. I was driving at speed and the car would just die. Then while it was coasting, it would restart. It was aggravating and kinda scarey to drive.
Long story short, it was definitely the alternator. Install is pretty straight forward, but make sure that you read the instructions that can be found on this site because there is one screw hard to see that you have to make sure you remove before pulling the alternator out. Or else.
Good luck.
Long story short, it was definitely the alternator. Install is pretty straight forward, but make sure that you read the instructions that can be found on this site because there is one screw hard to see that you have to make sure you remove before pulling the alternator out. Or else.
Good luck.
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Thank your for your reply. It is very much appreciated. Anybody else think it is the alternator just besides me and him. I guess I will find out after they test it once I get out of work at 5:30.
Yea its the alternator for sure. I replace mine 2 weeks ago and let me tell ya it make a diffencets my lights dont flicker, windows roll up faster then they ever did. I got a alternator from napa for 168.89 with lifetime warrty and it only takes 15-20 mins to put in.
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Mine use to do that to me right after I bought it about 4 years ago. I turned out to be just a bad connection from the alternator to the battery. The cable was actually corroded completely through. Check all of cables and connections before spending a bunch on a new alternator. 4 years later and still no problems.
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At discount auto parts i gave them my old one and bought a (I think it was refurbished) alternator, and works like new. I believe it only costed like $100 once I gave them my old alternator, and the install was pretty easy on my LT1 it should be similar for the LS1. I would also check the connections just to be safe like earlier mentioned.
Yea its the alternator for sure. I replace mine 2 weeks ago and let me tell ya it make a diffencets my lights dont flicker, windows roll up faster then they ever did. I got a alternator from napa for 168.89 with lifetime warrty and it only takes 15-20 mins to put in.
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Thanks for all of the replies guys. I do appreciate it. It did turn out to be the alternator. Now I am just gonna go pick one up from the local auto parts store this Saturday and put it in when I don't have work. At least the auto parts store is reasonable. GM parts direct wanted a rediculous $334 for it. What a rip off.
btw the fact you corrected him saying that advance doesnt do installs is the dumbest thing ive heard. you have to take your own alternator off and take it up there..... no auto part chains do work... i wouldnt trust them to do my wipers. he was giving you useful information you just have to do your own labor...
Today I just paid $171.00 for a re-manufactured Duralast with a lifetime warranty at Autozone. If it ever dies, you're in their database and can exchange it without the receipt at any AutoZone. Either take a multimeter and measure the voltage at the battery terminals and it should read a charge of about 14.5-14-8 volts if it's charging right.
Best way to tell if it's the alternator is to pull the battery ground off. If the alternator is bad, the car will die. If it's good, the car will continue to run.
Best way to tell if it's the alternator is to pull the battery ground off. If the alternator is bad, the car will die. If it's good, the car will continue to run.
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Thanks Jeb. Yeah I got it installed last weekend when I had some free time. And to memphis. Your remarks were completely uncalled for. I made a honest mistake in understanding what the other guy was saying about the install. You did not have to be a complete internet dickheahd and say that was the dumbest thing you have ever heard. I don't take to kindly to insults whether they are from people who are all big and bad on a keyboard or whether they are in your face. Take it to the pm's if you have nothing useful to contribute in my threads. 