88 alternator failure
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Florida
88 alternator failure
hey guys, I have an 88 c4 and while i had the AC on i noticed that the battery voltage was around 11.5. I turned off the AC thinking that it was drawing too much voltage and i hoped the voltage would climb back up. It didnt. for the rest of the ride home (10 miles or so) the voltage stayed around 11.5. I just tried to start the car again and it started, so i let it idle for 5 minutes and the voltage slowly climbed to 8v.
is there any connection between AC and alternators on c4's? What should I do?
is there any connection between AC and alternators on c4's? What should I do?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
I've got an 87. It's had 5 alternators that I know of.
Here's my take on CS130 alternators..... I don't know about an 88
1. ONLY GET A LIFETIME warranty replacement. (I've only bought one)
2. Keep your battery hot. Low battery kills these alternators
3. Get a lower temp boost fan switch.
JS
Here's my take on CS130 alternators..... I don't know about an 88
1. ONLY GET A LIFETIME warranty replacement. (I've only bought one)
2. Keep your battery hot. Low battery kills these alternators
3. Get a lower temp boost fan switch.
JS
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
A/C increases the load current on alternators and slightly shortens their life. Car batteries are considered discharged at 12.0 volts and they should then be charged up with a battery charger overnight. Discharged batteries draw high current from alternators and definitely shortens their life. It is not a good idea to use the alternator to charge up dead batteries, besides, it takes many hours to fully charge a dead battery. You can't do it by idling or driving the car for an hour. You should have noticed the red battery symbol light on the dash lit which tells you that the alternator is not working.
You need to repair your alternator or replace it! Normal dash voltmeter (engine running) is 14.3 volts engine cold and it drops to 13.3 volts engine hot. The dash voltmeter reads low with the engine not running, or the alternator not working.
You need to repair your alternator or replace it! Normal dash voltmeter (engine running) is 14.3 volts engine cold and it drops to 13.3 volts engine hot. The dash voltmeter reads low with the engine not running, or the alternator not working.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Florida
thanks guys. I think im gonna replace it myself with a higher amperage alternator. Would that help? I can get a good deal on a 140 amp one, and i was wondering if its easy to install myself. I have sockets and basic tools, and a pretty good car knowledge. Is replacing the alternator a hard thing to do?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 2
From: Doylestown PA
If your Vette sits for longer than a week, get yourself a trickle charger. That also should prolong the life of the alternator, and the battery for that matter.
My alternator died a little more than a year after I replaced it. My Vette sometimes sits for as much as a month. So it was recommended to me to get a trickle charger and use it whenever I'm not driving my Vette.
My alternator died a little more than a year after I replaced it. My Vette sometimes sits for as much as a month. So it was recommended to me to get a trickle charger and use it whenever I'm not driving my Vette.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Florida
ok guys. I replaced the alternator myself with a 140 amp upgrade. Everything went smooth, and it works great. I drove about 40 miles today and the battery voltage was spot on. But after a while i noticed that my serpentine belt is squeaking? or what i think is the belt. Any ideas?
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Find out where the squeek is coming from. Look at the belt, does it have a lot of small cracks? Replace the belt. Listen carefully for the source of the squeeking. The bearings in the belt tensioner squeek when they are at the end of their life.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Modesto California
Spray some WD-40 on the belt while it is squeeling and if it goes away then you just need a new belt. If not then recheck the routing, and make sure all the pulleys and tensioner is lined up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
+1
Drove my '86 for 2 days with a low battery and had to replace the alternator soon after.
Ok, truth be told, I jumped the car with a DEAD battery and drove those two days from Tampa, Fl to Ft. Worth, Tx.
Didn't realize at the time that it would kill the alternator in the process of trying to charge the battery from that low. Live and learn.
Drove my '86 for 2 days with a low battery and had to replace the alternator soon after.
Ok, truth be told, I jumped the car with a DEAD battery and drove those two days from Tampa, Fl to Ft. Worth, Tx.
Didn't realize at the time that it would kill the alternator in the process of trying to charge the battery from that low. Live and learn.