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Tuff Stuff Alternator question.

Old Jul 14, 2021 | 02:35 AM
  #1  
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Default Tuff Stuff Alternator question.

No I haven't had a chance to really test anything yet. As I am still homeless and most all of my tools are in storage.
Drove the car into a friend's garage 2 weeks ago.
almost brand new, (1,300 miles on it) Alternator was working perfectly.
Noticed a puddle underneath her the other day. put her up on jackstands and sure enough a pin hole in the powersteering return line. Replaced the hose today. fired up the engine to bleed the power steering. noticed that the volt gauge didn't climb. Damn. got out to check the fluid level in the resivor. burnt my arm on the Alternator fan. Alternator fan and pully were VERY hot. put my hand on the case, dead cold. upper radiator line still cold. didn't run engine long enough to open the thermostat. But Alternator fan was very hot.
Any ideas what to look for?
Don't want to send it back. to much in shipping. would rather just fix it.

Last edited by 4-vettes; Jul 14, 2021 at 02:36 AM.
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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 03:06 AM
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If the case was cold I'd start by taking the belt off and making sure the thing spins free. If it does I'd look at the belt and alignment as it would sound like it's rubbing badly or if it doesn't spin free it could be slipping badly and more likely related to the no charging condition you mentioned. Anyway that's where I would start I thinkM
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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 03:47 AM
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Basics are covered, belt alignment and adjustment spot on. spins freely with no noise.

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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 07:34 AM
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Double check the wires / connections but it sounds like one of the diodes is toast
M
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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 07:40 AM
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Do you have the flat connector with the red and brown wire connected correctly? These alternators do get pretty hot. Especially the higher output models. some years have a generator light (alternator light) in the dash and if the bulb is burned out or has mistakenly been swapped to an led bulb the car wont start charging unless you really rev the engine to get the field going properly. I was able to find everything to rebuild my aftermarket cheap china alternator at napa just for piece of mind.. In the end I had my ammeter wired incorrectly.

Last edited by augiedoggy; Jul 14, 2021 at 07:43 AM.
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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 08:10 AM
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Tuff Stuff 140 amp. 1 wire Alternator. it replaced a previous 100 amp 1 wire Alternator. Car is wired properly. I've owned this car for over 30 years. I am a professional mechanic with no tools at home, as I have no home. wiring is overkill for the Alternator I assure you.

Last edited by 4-vettes; Jul 14, 2021 at 08:10 AM.
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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 08:13 AM
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Best photo of wiring I could find on my phone. Check out the gauge. Not an external problem I am sure.

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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 08:49 AM
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fan backwards?
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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 11:03 AM
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I had a Tuff Stuff Alternator burn out in about the same mileage as your did, so went with a different brand. Must be Chinese components in them.

How does your V belt not squeal with a 140 amp alternator? I couldn't make mine quite with a 100 amp.
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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 05:01 PM
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You being an experienced automotive tech, you should have no problem disassembling the
alternator to perform checks on the internal components of the alternator https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...tors&FORM=VDRE
Hell, even me being an old retired dumb *** GM parts manager rebuilt my C3 alternator.
Now, you just need your tools!
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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by sunflower 1972
You being an experienced automotive tech, you should have no problem disassembling the
alternator to perform checks on the internal components of the alternator https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...tors&FORM=VDRE
Hell, even me being an old retired dumb *** GM parts manager rebuilt my C3 alternator.
Now, you just need your tools!
There are some good step by step you tube videos I used to rebuilt mine which of course it turned out It didnt even need. ironically when I thought mine was defective after putting it in I contacted the seller I bought it from and they refunded half my money since I agreed to rebuilt it myself.

Last edited by augiedoggy; Jul 14, 2021 at 05:32 PM.
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Old Jul 15, 2021 | 03:49 AM
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Pretty sure I didn't need a you tube video. And wasn't wanting to put a full kit through a brand new Alternator.
Biggest thing that threw me was the fan/rotor shaft getting so hot, while the case was dead cold.
Bottom line, throwing 14.5 volts at idle again.
Issue was living to close to the beach. salt air doesn't play nice with copper commutators. Bushes were not getting good contact through the green that builds up with the salt air.
Cleaned up the commutator, made certain the brushes were moving freely. Assembled. All good.
Now if I could just get a place to live!
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Old Jul 15, 2021 | 05:21 AM
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Oh, and belt squeal? Really?
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Old Jul 15, 2021 | 07:21 AM
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Mine squeals on startup for about a second and thats it but I figured I needed a new belt myself.
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