Is my Alternator going bad?
Is my Alternator going bad? Lately my voltage gauge has been showing my car running around 13 volts. My car wouldn't turn over a couple days ago after leaving the stereo on for a long time. Checked the battery, and it had a bad cell. Dropped in a new battery, but noticed that with the new battery I was still sitting around or just under 13volts with the car running. Turning up the stereo and the air conditioner would make it drop a little bit more.
Is this a sign that my alternator is shot? What are my options for replacements/upgrades? Could it be something else? Is it easy to replace these? Do I need any special tools?
Is this a sign that my alternator is shot? What are my options for replacements/upgrades? Could it be something else? Is it easy to replace these? Do I need any special tools?
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I've been wondering the same. Mine runs a bit over 13v without the AC on and right on or under 13v with the AC on. I figured it was just because my car has an underdrive pulley on it, but if there's a chance it's a bad alternator I'd rather replace it now and be prepared!
Now, the car runs at 14.4 on start up, but with the stereo on, which has 2 small amps pulling from it, the car drops to about 13, then with the AC on, it'll drop down to about 12.8 or so. Any suggestions guys?
Originally Posted by 98PaceCar
I've been wondering the same. Mine runs a bit over 13v without the AC on and right on or under 13v with the AC on. I figured it was just because my car has an underdrive pulley on it, but if there's a chance it's a bad alternator I'd rather replace it now and be prepared!
I had the same problem, killed one battery, and then the alt, and i just replaced the alt and the battery was free cus it was under wuarentee. So well see.
If something dies again, im ethier puttin on an alt pully or taking off the ASP and puttn on the stocker.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, NorCal
Yeah I have a similar problem too. I replaced the stock AC delco Batt and had my stock alt rewired to a 150amp alt. I did this so I could drop in my new system (components and a single '10) But after i finished everything my gauge would be normal like 14.4 but drop down at idle to like ..13? with the AC on, it'll drop even more to 12. I'm really not going to be happy if I do have to replace my alt, shows that I got jipped or something. 98pacecar said it might be the underdrive pulley? Would this fix our problems?
Had my alternator go out tonight. After we jumped the battery and started it, I watched as my voltage dropped down to 0 in a hurry. Yours sounds like its starting to wear down so I'd keep an eye on it and/or replace it soon.
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On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: East Tennessee
This may sound starnge but I thought mine as doing the same thing, I then found my gas cap loose. That caused a lack of gas pressue therefor efuel wasn't making it to the engine and so forth. Tighten up the gas cap and pressure went back up and alternating started working better. I know it sounds weird but I actually read that somewhere in my owners maunal.
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Originally Posted by sawedoff
Where could a guy get an enhanced alternator for a 99' Fbody? Does bosch make one?
