[jchiodi]

Car died while driving.. dead battery. Jumped and checked voltage at battery only about 12.50 and going down...bad alternator...

Just put in new (cheapo) alternator. It worked fine at first, putting out about 14.25.

After 10 minutes of driving the lights start dimming, etc. Car dies.

I jump start it... the voltage at battery is like 11.50 with lights on, and going down.

Turn off lights, jumps to 12.5, and going down.

Turn off car check all connections and belt.. all okay.

Jump car again, same story..

WTF...

Am I missing something, or is this cheapo a bad one.


Can I check output at alternator?


Please help.. I'm parked next to a chemical factory, they might think there's a car bomb in it!!.

jc

 

[02BLUR]

ooooh electrical problems...
Charge up the battery and drive home. Should last a couple hours with dimming lights....
Regulator maybe. Not sure if the regulator is on the Alternator on these cars.

 

[Blackboost]

Make sure that the ground cable that goes to the battery is making a solid connection at the firewall. Also, try giving the battery a good recharge. If that doesn't help, you might have to buy a new alternator.

Moved to Electronics Tech...

 

[jchiodi]

new alternator bad

I'm thinking of 3 things if I get correct voltage off battery wire on alternator: Correct if I'm off base...

1) Bad connection from B+ wire to battery from alternator.

2) Bad ground from battery to chassis.

3) Internal regulator is decreasing charge.

I'll ohm out B+ wire.

Ohm out ground wire

I'll disconnect plug into alternator (is this the control plug telling alternator what the load is?

If I'm getting correct voltage at alternator, is there anything else I can do?

 

[Tallen]

i had a similar problem after an alternator install, turned out to be a bad ground

 

[Dyesin]

You can bypass the regulator and full field the generator to find out if it's the regulator. There should be a screw or something on the outside of the generator that you can ground to give the coil full current. You should be getting between 13.8 and 14.5 volts at the battery.

 

[jchiodi]

ouuch!

Just got back from checking the car.... of course it had been towed!!! $102.00 THANK YOU LORD, and pass me my gun.

Anyway.. the car started with jump. Putting out 14.25 at fast idle, dropped to 13.75 at cold idle.

Checked everything again. Dammned intermittent problems.
I did not see a screw to ground. There is a two pronged plug on this alternator. I'm wondering about that. could that control the output?

Also, what about the the fuses at the + battery post. They seemed a little loose so I tightened them up.

Anything could be loose since I redid the head and timing belt about four months ago.

I'll try getting it home tonight.. bound to screw up again.

any other comments.. suggestions.
jc