Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: agoura hills ca
Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years
I just left my vette on the street since the tow could not get it in my parking space. This is a some what fimilar problem with my Vette. It was mostly a problem during the first 5 years of ownership since the car only averaged around 1000 mi a year, but things have changed since then.
The problem is I am doubting some mods that I have done with the car lately. About a month ago I put a chip and a BBK TB in the car, I even went to a shop to have them tune it after I was done. I have in my opionion done alot of driving in the car since then, about 300 miles. The car only just turned 27,000 tonight. However, I was out for dinner about 15mi away from home. I saw that the interior lights were going dim, I checked the volts and they were reading 10.5 by the time I was 3 blocks from the house they were at 8.5 and it went dead. The tow sad that the alt was shorting he could not even get a charge, I have a life time on the alt and the bat, COULD IT BE SOMETHING ELSE? COULD IT BE SOMETHING WITH THE MODS? I just do not know what else to think here besides re-newing my AAA membership.
Thx,
Jay
The problem is I am doubting some mods that I have done with the car lately. About a month ago I put a chip and a BBK TB in the car, I even went to a shop to have them tune it after I was done. I have in my opionion done alot of driving in the car since then, about 300 miles. The car only just turned 27,000 tonight. However, I was out for dinner about 15mi away from home. I saw that the interior lights were going dim, I checked the volts and they were reading 10.5 by the time I was 3 blocks from the house they were at 8.5 and it went dead. The tow sad that the alt was shorting he could not even get a charge, I have a life time on the alt and the bat, COULD IT BE SOMETHING ELSE? COULD IT BE SOMETHING WITH THE MODS? I just do not know what else to think here besides re-newing my AAA membership.
Thx,
Jay
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (azvetmn)
I doubt those mods would cause that. Some vettes just seem to eat alternators. Make sure you're battery is working correctly as well, because those two always work in pairs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 765
Likes: 11
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (azvetmn)
Unfortunately this is normal. I went through an alt and batt. every year when I drove the car more. Now that I am not using the car as much, I go about once every two years. I got a lifetime warr. unit and can replace an alt in about 10-15 mins. Good luck.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (azvetmn)
After going through two alt's in a year and a half on my 89, I installed a ZR1 alternator that I purchased at Autozone for 119.00. That was 50k miles ago, and no problems since then. You will have to slightly relieve the surface where the top bolt goes in, other than that, no problems.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: agoura hills ca
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (azvetmn)
Thanks for the input, I will see if they will let me up grade to the ZR-1 today when I take in the alt. Any pics of the difference? If so I would like to see what I will be getting in to.
Jay
Jay
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut Shoreline CT
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (azvetmn)
Do you live right on the ocean? Living on the salt water and not driving a vehicle often eats up starter and alternators. The salt in the air just corodes electrical contacts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 0
From: Corona CA
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (lowflyer)
Lowflyer,
where did you get a lifetime warranteed unit? I have had to replace mine twice over the last 5 years. The next time I want one of those! :rolleyes:
where did you get a lifetime warranteed unit? I have had to replace mine twice over the last 5 years. The next time I want one of those! :rolleyes:
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (azvetmn)
AZ, I don't have any pictures available, but the ZR1 unit is slightly larger. You may have to remove ~ 1/16" or less of metal behind the top bolt to make it fit properly, but this is very easy to do. Took me about 15 sec. with the Dremel. Other than that, it goes right in.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 765
Likes: 11
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (rcolling)
I got my PepBoys alt about 7 years ago in Chicago. I've since replaced the unit in Chicago, Mobile Alabama, Pensacola Florida, Boca Raton Florida and recently in Orlando Florida. I think I've gotten my money's worth on that warranty
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake, IL USA
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (azvetmn)
One alternative is to find a rebuilder in your area that can sell you an Iceberg modified alternator (or do the rebuild yourself). See:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zero...=970873#970873
This combination is supposedly bulletproof, and in my area only cost $85 w/ exchange. I've had it 1 month, so far so good.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zero...=970873#970873
This combination is supposedly bulletproof, and in my area only cost $85 w/ exchange. I've had it 1 month, so far so good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 107
From: Fairview, TX
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (azvetmn)
Life time warranty isn't all that it is cracked up to be unless you are lucky or just like replacing alts. I had one from pepboys. I replaced it twice this summer and once each of the previous two summers. Last week I bought one from a rebuild shop. It just looked better! One thing I noticed right away was that it had more cooling blades on the fan. Only has a one year warranty. I guess I will see how well this works. My batterie life is only about two years. If the batterie is bad it will eat up the alts.
One thing I noticed right away was that it had more cooling blades on the fan. Only has a one year warranty. I guess I will see how well this works. My batterie life is only about two years. If the batterie is bad it will eat up the alts.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (90 Steel Blue)
I went through a few too. In 1997 when I got the car back from Lingenfelter...two days after, the volt light went on,and the car poofed. A month before I bought it in 1996(august) the owner had it replaced. Last summer I also puked one. This one is holding up OK...Thanks to a warranty the $280 price tag for a GM one wasn't so bad.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (JD 90 383)
I'm in this experiment too. Lost mine after 4 years, it was on it when I bought it. My choice was to try an IceBurg unit from these folks: http://www.alternatorparts.com/cs130_&_cs130d_alt.htm
I needed the CS-130 iceburg unit, 105 amps. Higher amp capacity does not mean it will last longer.
At the same time I took my burnt unit to a local rebuilder who completely rebuilt it in 3 days for $80.00. I installed this unit and it's running fine. He told me that CS-130's keep him in business, they overheat and kill the diodes and bearings. I'll bet this rebuild lasts, but who knows.
The IceBurg unit from the link above in Michigan is completely new, no rebuilt parts. It's in my garage and I will carry it as a spare to the track or on very long trips. I enjoyed talking with the guy at this shop, very personable and knowledgeable. It took about 4 days to ship to NJ. As a new alternator with improvements it's a bargin.
So that's my solution at this point: one rebuild installed, one new iceburg in the garage. Only time will tell.
Good Luck all,
Pete
I needed the CS-130 iceburg unit, 105 amps. Higher amp capacity does not mean it will last longer.
At the same time I took my burnt unit to a local rebuilder who completely rebuilt it in 3 days for $80.00. I installed this unit and it's running fine. He told me that CS-130's keep him in business, they overheat and kill the diodes and bearings. I'll bet this rebuild lasts, but who knows.
The IceBurg unit from the link above in Michigan is completely new, no rebuilt parts. It's in my garage and I will carry it as a spare to the track or on very long trips. I enjoyed talking with the guy at this shop, very personable and knowledgeable. It took about 4 days to ship to NJ. As a new alternator with improvements it's a bargin.
So that's my solution at this point: one rebuild installed, one new iceburg in the garage. Only time will tell.
Good Luck all,
Pete
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (Glock'94)
Nope, I meant that I passed on getting a higher amp version in the same case. 105 is a stock CS-130. More amps = more watts = more heat = shorter life. Now if they actually increase the heat sink, provide larger diodes and some how get all the extra heat out of the case - AND you run a higher rated alt. at stock amps, then it might last longer. But I don't think the previous is the case, so to speak.
The stock rated iceburg CS-130 with the extra heat sink and larger bearings should last longer, but who knows.
Pete
The stock rated iceburg CS-130 with the extra heat sink and larger bearings should last longer, but who knows.
Pete
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake, IL USA
Re: Help!!!!!! Second Alt in 3years (PeteL)
Don't know the validity of this but the rebuilder told me that a 140A alternator puts out less juice at idle than the 105A alternator. If you don't have a monster stereo or *hydraulics* or a lot of *neon* then stick with the stock 105A rating alternator for better output at idle.
For whatever it's worth, my rebuild was done with the heavier duty bridge rectifier used in the 140A alternator (50A diodes x 6), although excessive heat will kill those just as quick as it would the stock 30A diodes. Time will tell.
For whatever it's worth, my rebuild was done with the heavier duty bridge rectifier used in the 140A alternator (50A diodes x 6), although excessive heat will kill those just as quick as it would the stock 30A diodes. Time will tell.