question about an alternator (non-corvette)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 172
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question about an alternator (non-corvette)
well sorry, but my daily driver ( 90 Toyota celica ) has an alternator problem. I had it tested at autozone and its not putting out any voltage. Me being a poor college student, I dont want to shell out the $200 to replace it. Is there any way I could fix it? what usually goes wrong with alternators. I know it has a IC voltage regulator built into it, hopefully thats not what went wrong. Thanks for any help,
ben
ben
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
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From: Fair Oaks, OK
Re: question about an alternator (stickben)
Take it to a local rebuilder. Look under electric, automotive in the yellow pages. A local shop here does great work, and I would have taken my alternator there if replacing the voltage regulator weren't quite as easy as it was.
If it has a little regulator module that you can take out, then don't hesitate to do the job yourself if you:
A: Are mechanically inclined and know the difference between a chineese socket set (aka monkey wrench) and a pair of channel-locks.
B: Can buy a new regulator module at your local parts house
C: Can get the alternator off of the car without tearing anything up.
If it has a little regulator module that you can take out, then don't hesitate to do the job yourself if you:
A: Are mechanically inclined and know the difference between a chineese socket set (aka monkey wrench) and a pair of channel-locks.
B: Can buy a new regulator module at your local parts house
C: Can get the alternator off of the car without tearing anything up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
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From: Easton PA
Re: question about an alternator (Simon Alexander)
Could also be the stator inside of the alternator. Had mine for the 82 vette rebuilt for only $90. Done in day and a half and he replaced the stator, regulator, brushes and media blasted the case.I agree with Simon,look in the yellow pages. Most areas have a place that can rebuild it cheap.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Re: question about an alternator (stickben)
stick -
Alternators are certainly rebuildable, and they are relatively easy to troubleshoot. I'm e-mailing you a copy of my alternator rebuild paper - the principles and techniques are applicable to any alternator.
Unfortunately, the Japanese alternators are not very do-it-yourselfer-rebuilder-friendly. The components and the IC regulator are often soldered in place, whereas the US alternators (Ford, GM, Chrysler) are all put together with screws and removable hardware. You may have to admit defeat on this one and have a pro rebuilder do the job for you.
Commonly, it's the IC reg that goes bad. You can also have a bad bridge rectifier or bad brushes. If it's just the brushes that are worn out, replace them. But if you find that the IC reg is bad, you will probably find that the cost of the reg only for that Japanese alternator is over $150.... Another good reason to sell the car and buy another Vette... (I sold my 300ZX and got another Vette - best thing I ever did).
Alternators are certainly rebuildable, and they are relatively easy to troubleshoot. I'm e-mailing you a copy of my alternator rebuild paper - the principles and techniques are applicable to any alternator.
Unfortunately, the Japanese alternators are not very do-it-yourselfer-rebuilder-friendly. The components and the IC regulator are often soldered in place, whereas the US alternators (Ford, GM, Chrysler) are all put together with screws and removable hardware. You may have to admit defeat on this one and have a pro rebuilder do the job for you.
Commonly, it's the IC reg that goes bad. You can also have a bad bridge rectifier or bad brushes. If it's just the brushes that are worn out, replace them. But if you find that the IC reg is bad, you will probably find that the cost of the reg only for that Japanese alternator is over $150.... Another good reason to sell the car and buy another Vette... (I sold my 300ZX and got another Vette - best thing I ever did).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 172
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Re: question about an alternator (lars)
thanks very much for the help, Ive been calling around the yards, and nobody seems to have anything that would work. Also all the parts places around town dont have the part in stock either. I have a sneeking suspision that the IC went out, because the battery light came on long before the battery went dead. I had eough power to drive it about 40 miles.
Thanks for the paper lars
ben
Thanks for the paper lars
ben
