C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Alternator problem?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 15, 2002 | 08:37 PM
  #1  
Tony W's Avatar
Tony W
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 0
From: Little Elm TX
Default Alternator problem?

I think I'm gonna answer my own question in this post, but I want to ask just to make sure. I started my Mustang (97) up this morning and all was fine for a few seconds and then it sputtered, died, and restarted itself. No warning lights came on, but my electrical system (lights, radio, etc....) faded on and off. It did this about three times and then all was fine. I headed out and stopped at a traffic light and my RPM's dipped down to 500 and sputtered but didn't die. I have never replaced the alternator before, so I'm assuming that's what the culprit is. Am I correct?
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2002 | 08:42 PM
  #2  
PeteL's Avatar
PeteL
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Default Re: Alternator problem? (Tony W)

Not the alternator!
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2002 | 08:42 PM
  #3  
carter200's Avatar
carter200
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,644
Likes: 4
From: Texas, GOOD OLE USA
Default Re: Alternator problem? (Tony W)

What did your alternator gauge say? If it did not go erratic then don't think it's the alternator :confused:
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2002 | 09:16 PM
  #4  
Tony W's Avatar
Tony W
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 0
From: Little Elm TX
Default Re: Alternator problem? (carter200)

What did your alternator gauge say? If it did not go erratic then don't think it's the alternator :confused:
I don't know if it said anything. I just know that that's the only possible solution I could come up with. :confused:
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2002 | 01:14 PM
  #5  
jfb's Avatar
jfb
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Default Re: Alternator problem? (Tony W)

The alternator could completely stop providing charging current and your engine should run just fine because the battery will supply power to all the electrical devices for an hour or so depending on the electrical load.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2002 | 09:36 AM
  #6  
JDF's Avatar
JDF
Advanced
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 61
Likes: 15
Default Re: Alternator problem? (Tony W)

How can an engine "die" and start again by itself without turning the ignition key to engage the starter? If you were talking about a C4 with an idle problem I would first investigate the I.A.C. valve.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2002 | 02:13 PM
  #7  
Jim D's Avatar
Jim D
Drifting
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 0
From: Mickleton NJ
Default Re: Alternator problem? (JDF)

The first thing I would check is the battery connections, put a voltmeter on your battery if you getting 13 or 14 volts your altenator is OK.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Alternator problem?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:45 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE