View Full Version : Alternator Again??? Doubtfully...
BD1GSTURBO
11-06-2002, 04:28 AM
I GOT A PROBLEM...MY 90 LASER TURBO 5SPD IS ACTING UP A LITTLE...MY BATTERY LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP VERY DIM THIS PAST WEEK...MY CAR DOESNT FEEL LIKE ITS GOING TO DIE BUT THE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON.. COULD IT BE SOME SORT OF SHORT ??? BATTERY AND ALT. ARE DECENTLY NEW..HELP MEEEEEEEEEE
Natedog_37
11-06-2002, 10:15 AM
Check you batt. and see if if you have a good connection
Blackboost
11-06-2002, 12:16 PM
Originally posted by BD1GSTURBO
I GOT A PROBLEM...MY 90 LASER TURBO 5SPD IS ACTING UP A LITTLE...MY BATTERY LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP VERY DIM THIS PAST WEEK...MY CAR DOESNT FEEL LIKE ITS GOING TO DIE BUT THE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON.. COULD IT BE SOME SORT OF SHORT ??? BATTERY AND ALT. ARE DECENTLY NEW..HELP MEEEEEEEEEE
Drop the CAPS before posting please!!;)
BD1GSTURBO
11-07-2002, 04:16 AM
Last week the mechanic said my battery is good...and i think it still is fine but the lights are still on....battery light,brake light and the coolant light i think...i dunno i havnt played my stereo in a while so i havnt been draining no juice but i dunno.......lemme knowww
Turbocharged
11-07-2002, 04:30 AM
I have the same problem. My brake light, radiator light, and battery light have all been on for about 2 months. Now my alternator is dead. Ive heard something about these lights coming on when the alternator is going bad. Mine is definately toast. Im going to repair the alternator and see if the lights turn off. Ill let you know after I fix the alternator but I wont know for a couple of weeks because Im also rebuilding my transmission at the same time. Im in college right now so I only have time to fix up the tranny on the weekends. Anyways, I believe that my lights came on due to the alternator dying (dont know why though) and Ill tell you if the lights turn off after fixing it.
turboawd11
11-07-2002, 05:29 AM
chck relays and fuses. i had teh same problem..dont get a rebuilt alternator.. i go through rebuilds hee and there... thank god i have warantee.. i try to keep a spare one
BD1GSTURBO
11-07-2002, 07:23 PM
it might be the alternator...
Blackboost
11-07-2002, 10:42 PM
Originally posted by BD1GSTURBO
it might be the alternator...
Do the alternator ghetto test...
Start the car and let in run for about 1-2 minutes. Turn on all your accessories(etc..) and then pop-up the hood. Disconnect the - battery terminal and see if you car turns off, if it does your alternator is faulty.
Turbocharged
11-08-2002, 02:37 AM
DONT DO THAT!
mavisky
11-08-2002, 02:44 AM
Originally posted by Turbocharged
DONT DO THAT!
wtf not?? you got some kind of in depth knowledge that we don't know.
BD1GSTURBO
11-08-2002, 03:29 AM
and last week it smelled like something was burnin like plastic..not sure tho...wtffffffff
Turbocharged
11-08-2002, 03:47 AM
wtf not?? you got some kind of in depth knowledge that we don't know.
Its my understanding that this method was preformed on pre-computer cars successfully for years. In modern cars however, this can create a spike in the electrical system, thereby causing all sorts of problems for computers. Im not saying this happens all the time but I do believe that it happens. Although fuses should break before any computer equipment is damaged, I would still play it safe and take it to autozone and have it checked. It only takes about 45 min to take you alternator off, so why not. Or just go buy a voltmeter for $15.
Anyways, I had my alternator checked out and it turned out to be the internal regulator. Not to hard to replace but Im not sure how much one costs. Does anyone know?
mavisky
11-08-2002, 03:58 AM
well i understand the worry, although i've never seen a problem with it myself.
and if you take it to advance auto parts they can do an alternator test while its still in the car.
Blackboost
11-08-2002, 08:14 AM
Originally posted by Turbocharged
DONT DO THAT!
I have been doing this on DSM cars for a long time know and I have yet to see it cause a problem or any spike on the electrical system that may damage the ECU or any other component...
Flowgoode
11-13-2002, 09:11 PM
I am having this problem as we speak. My alternator was replaced about a month or two ago with an autozone remanufactured altenator. I know its the alternator because the battery checked out fine and i checked all the fuses.
I am glad the alternator has a lifetime warranty on it.
ALTHOUGH...i have a atmoshperic dump on my 02...and the lower heat sheild it removed....do you think this could cause the alternator to go bad?
Also are there any FAQs on how to take the alternator out? I looks like a PITA! Thanks.
Turbocharged
11-14-2002, 12:47 AM
Im not sure if a 02 dump would cause your alternator to go bad. Maybe the excess heat from removing the heatshield is causing extra stress to your alternator. I think the more likely problem is that you have a remanufactured alternator. The performance of remanufactured parts is inconsistant. More often than not you get an inferior product when you buy a remanufactured part (at least thats been my experience).
As far as replacing your alternator, I would suggest doing it yourself. It only took me about 30 minutes to get mine off. Just disconnect the plug on the front. Then unbolt the power wire. Loosen the tensioner bolt to get the belt off. Then just unbolt the alternator (one bolt underneath the alternator that it swings from). You'll probably have to use a screwdriver to pry the alternator away from the support bracket. Despite what some people say this is very easy to do with the car on the ground with the drivers side wheel on. Some of the work has to be done from underneathe the car.
Flowgoode
11-14-2002, 12:58 AM
I heat wrapped the dump tube on the o2 housing and i think im going to cut up the stock lower heat shield so it will fit on there to keep the heat away from the alternator. Think that should do the trick with heat?
okey chuck
11-16-2002, 02:24 AM
battery + radiator fluid level(weird sybmol for it, still haven't figured it out) + brake == bad alternator...
been through it, and I know its true. Just mine decided to start dieing on a turnpike, that had almost no exits on it.
yea excess heat will kill an alternator. Just take it to a shop. Where I work, and most other places im sure, will do a free in car battery and alternator test, takes about 5 minutes if that.
Oh BTW the splash shield must be removed to get the slider bolt out of the alternator. If it is hard to get out, you can loosen up the casing too.
Originally posted by mavisky
wtf not?? you got some kind of in depth knowledge that we don't know.
Because not only is this test inconclusive on today's vehicles (especially with the smaller asian makes), but it is MURDER on the alternator and the electronics when doing it. There is not a single car manufacturer that would accept this as a good practice.
Rags
hardlydangerous
11-19-2002, 03:52 AM
Replace the Alt and re-test the battery
My car just did the very same thing, three lights were on very dim and got brighter as the car idled down.
2 weeks later the alt went.
I agree with the rest of the guys Do not disconnect the battery cables while the engine is running. I have been a motorcycle mechanic for many years now and it is a know fact that the power surge/spikes from disconnecting power leads, fuses, or just unplugging certain units is the fastest way to blow a voltage rectifier or regulator an fry the stator an possibly ignition modules that run off the battery.
But if you don’t believe us go ask any import mechanic, Not an old school wrench
vBulletin v3.5.4, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.