Alternator Issues!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 11
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Alternator Issues! Okay, so I have had some major alternator issues over the last few months and I'm unsure of why. The ps is not leaking on it. 99 Trans Am. I had it rebuilt 3 times in 2 weeks by a very reputable shop that specifies in alternator and battery. Battery always tests good, though it is 5 years old. Howver, I had not had any problems for a while, then a cold spell came through, and when I ran the car, the voltage meter was going crazy and lights were flickering (all typical signs of alternator failure) so I parked the car. I started it up a few days later after it warmed up for a few days, and the car ran fine and did not act funny at all. Two nights ago I went to drive it and all the typical alternator failure signs were occurring, but then I ran it today and it ran fine, until I hit 5k and the voltage meter drops to right in the middle, but as soon as I get below 5k it goes back to normal. I'm unsure of the issue. I would go ahead and buy a new battery, but again, it tests just fine every time and I just don't want to blow my money (broke college kid). Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
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From: Connecticut SE shore
Sounds like a battery could be part of this issue too. 5 yrs old? You're already doing better than most people who get 2-4 years. My last battery did something similar at the 5-6 year point, and it was almost toast at 3 years when it was several cups of water low. In cold weather it started giving funky instrument panel indications....because of the too low a voltage (12.2-12.3 volts). I'd charge it back up to 12.6 but it wouldn't last long. Finally I just replaced it for peace of mind. If I'm going with a new alternator, I don't want a 5 yr old battery around to drag it down. If you've been float charging that battery for most of that 5 years then maybe it's still fine. If not, I'd replace it. Would be simple to swap in a fresh battery from a friend's car or your "battery guy" just to see. If your battery can hold 12.45-12.65 volts over 1-2 days of sitting then it's probably decent enough. I'd agree that spending a little more for an OEM or quality alternator that will get you many years more than a reman is probably worth the bucks. Cold weather will unmask a weaker battery/weak alternator. If your tech can't rebuild an alternator (0 for 3), what makes you think they know how to diagnose a borderline battery?
If you're a broke college kid, you probably don't have AAA or Amaco. So that emergency call to get jumped/towed will cost the price of the new battery. You're going to pay it one way or another. You can buy a new AC Delco Professional Gold battery for $105 (42 month warranty). Hopefully, that's $20/year. And it's $10-$25 cheaper than the other higher rated "gold" brands. Even the Walmart "Ever" series are fairly cheap, and decently rated.
If you're a broke college kid, you probably don't have AAA or Amaco. So that emergency call to get jumped/towed will cost the price of the new battery. You're going to pay it one way or another. You can buy a new AC Delco Professional Gold battery for $105 (42 month warranty). Hopefully, that's $20/year. And it's $10-$25 cheaper than the other higher rated "gold" brands. Even the Walmart "Ever" series are fairly cheap, and decently rated.
Last edited by Firebrian; Nov 10, 2015 at 09:08 PM.
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Teching In
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 11
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My tech is the largest alternator/battery guy in my area. Been doing it for 60 years himself. Never had an issue before with his work, and no one does. Given him our business for a long time. The alternator is OEM, not a cheapo. And I basically get free towing, so that wasn't an issue either. I plan to replace the battery, just looking for other possible answers as this is an awfully weird situation.
I see these threads and was curious why no one has gone with the prior cs130 alt. it uses the same mounting style. has a location for the rear mount.
The most popular are the CS130 alternators with a case diameter of 5.12 inches. The CS130D is also slightly larger than the CS130, but the mounting lugs are the same.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/interio...kyard-builder/
http://www.jegs.com/images/photos/700/713/713-47861.jpg
from what I am see the larger truck alternator some swapped to has the same issues as the cs130d ls1 alt when getting a reman. harder to fit due to size.
The most popular are the CS130 alternators with a case diameter of 5.12 inches. The CS130D is also slightly larger than the CS130, but the mounting lugs are the same.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/interio...kyard-builder/
http://www.jegs.com/images/photos/700/713/713-47861.jpg
from what I am see the larger truck alternator some swapped to has the same issues as the cs130d ls1 alt when getting a reman. harder to fit due to size.
