Alternator question
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Battery light on, dash lights flicker at low RPM. Make sure and replace the red lead. For some reason, those seem to be a problem in these cars...Maybe someone who knows more will pipe in.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Battery light on, dash lights flicker at low RPM. Make sure and replace the red lead. For some reason, those seem to be a problem in these cars...Maybe someone who knows more will pipe in.
Bearing noise, alternator extremely hot, high voltage spikes over 15 volts...Batteries failure also can look like an alternator taking a crap too, so its really a combination of these things that suggest a sick Alternator. Ive cooked a couple of them myself, so im pretty versed on this 
snoopdan
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Cotati CA
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Battery light on, dash lights flicker at low RPM. Make sure and replace the red lead. For some reason, those seem to be a problem in these cars...Maybe someone who knows more will pipe in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Don't go to dealers....
Originally Posted by V's Vette
Glad you mentioned the red lead...mine's just about fried. What do I ask for at the dealer and can you give any details about the replacement?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Cotati CA
Originally Posted by elefkow
Don't ever go to a dealership. Go to either your favorite web site or go to an auto parts store.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
My last alternator didn't give any warning at all, it just died. By the time I got the special "Travelers discount" it cost me $430. to get it replaced.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by V's Vette
Glad you mentioned the red lead...mine's just about fried. What do I ask for at the dealer and can you give any details about the replacement?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 398
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna BC
Originally Posted by jabez
What is the first sign......
Stetoscope (careful) will confirm. I've changed the bearings on some alternators and saved big bucks.