scottHMT

iTrader: (5)

well I'm typing this from the side of the freeway. My car died, first the abs inop light comes on, then the radio turns off, then the guages go dead and the car runs like crap and eventually dies. I jumped it and it will beokay for a minute or two then the same thing happens. The battery is less tHan 6 months old. The alternator has not been replaced and I dot have a huge system so what do you guys think the problem is?

98TAjwh

iTrader: (4)

i'd be willing to bet it's the alternator. take it and the battery and have them checked out at autozone or wherever. had a recent problem just like yours.

scottHMT

iTrader: (5)

Yeah I'm thinking the same thing, my ps leaks and pisses on the alternator, I'm suprised I lasted this long.

scottHMT

iTrader: (5)

Still here on the side of the freeway

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

You will remain on the freeway until you put a new alternator in. Thats what it is.

lovin myls1

iTrader: (4)

I'd fix the PS leak too so you don't **** away another alternator!

sixvi6-camaro

iTrader: (9)

yup probably the alternator died and stopped charging so you are running the car off the battery. When you jump the car you are basically charging the battery back up a little so the car will run for a little bit.

I'm guessing you are not on the side of the road any longer but You can Limp the car along if you charge the battery up and drive the car running NO power accessories. No stereo, no heat, no headlights (unless its night time) nothing plugged into the accessory ports. That will allow you to drive the car a longer distance before the battery drains and the car dies.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Damn, missed the PS leak post. That happens all the time man, it kills alternators quick, like in a day, depending on the leak of course.

Fix both.

99T/A_Marine

iTrader: (1)

Same thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago. It's the alternator. Make sure when you get the alternator replaced that you do not have a leak in the pump or hose for your power steering pump. I replaced one, only to have it die 30 minutes after I cranked the car. Turned out to be a leak in the high pressure line going from my power steering pump to the steering rack. Hope this helps.

sykodrummer9800

iTrader: (3)

ALTERNATORS!!! mine did that too!!!

scottHMT

iTrader: (5)

can anyone point me to a nice alternator install writeup? I know it seems simple enough but it couldnt hurt reading a write up.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

-Put the car up on ramps.
-Disconnect negative battery terminal.
-Then take the serpintine belt off the tensioner so its loose.
-Get under the car and you will clearly see the two front bolts to take out of the alternator, and one smaller bolt in the back. Remove all 3.
-Then take the palm of your hand or a rubber mallet and smack it until it breaks free from the mounts where the bolts were. Work/wiggle the alternator straight forward towards the electric fan until its right over the k-member and against the fan motor. You can then take the large wire off the back (there's a bolt under that little rubber cover) and unclip the plug for the small excitor wire on the back and top of the alternator. ***Be very careful not to break that TINY delicate wire. They don;t give much slack so don't start to drop the alternator out until its unplugged.***
-Then wiggle that thing out and downward. It'll fit through there, just work it. Toward the fan, then down and out.

If your hand/arm is small enough you can reach down from the top and unplug that tiny wire from the alternator before you start the removal process.

Thats it. When the old ones hit the ground, pick the new one up and put it right in. Should take about 15 minutes to change it out.

joecar

Disconnect the cable from the battery negative terminal before you begin.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Ah yes...added that to the procedure.