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killing alternators

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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 03:13 AM
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Default killing alternators

I just finished a cam, tranny, rearend, fuel pump, etc.,etc. swap in my '01 z28. As soon as i got on the car, the volts fell to ~12. the first alternator died. I replaced the alternator with a rebuilt unit from autozone, it was charginf fine. Well, was charging fine until i race the famous trmin8r after i took the car up to ~6500, the 2nd alternator died. My question: is it possible that the crank pulley is somehow out of center and is causing something inside the alternator to break/go bad? i didnt not really touch anything other than that. i did swap steering columns as well, but that will most likely have nothing to do with it. i'm stumped on this problem, can anyone help me out?
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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 06:34 AM
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alternators go bad sometimes if you let them charge up dead batteries...the battery could also be bad..
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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 02:39 PM
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it was charging the battery fine, it died right after i took the car to 6800 rpm. before that, just cruising around, it was doing fine. i am kinda curious as to why this is happening, the stock alternator was also working fine on intial start-up after the swap. it did not die until i ran the rpm's up. anyone?
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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 03:03 PM
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Bring the battery to AZ and have them load test it, if nothing else it'll elimate it as being the problem. FWIW my friend went through 2 rebuilt store alternators before springing for a new GM unit, which solved his charging issue.
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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 03:48 PM
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cool, thanks for the info! i just don't understand why it ( the original ) would decide to take a **** all of the sudden.
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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 04:04 PM
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His crapped out at 33K for no apparent reason. I just turned 24K on my car and on my third battery - Delco, Sears Die Hard, now Optima. Lots of short trips but damn. My voltage gauge would drop below normal before they went out soon after, especially with the AC on, high fans on at lights.
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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 08:36 PM
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cool, got a NEW atlernator from vatozone. i ll see how it does tonight, report back in the morning
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 08:15 PM
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problem solved. turned out to just be a shitty rebuilt alternator car is hauling ***!
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