90 vette, auto, totally stock

Hi,

I broke down again today....Had to get my car towed

I haven't had my vette for long (only a few weeks in my posession), and I have had a few problems already but I didn't expect it to be all smooth sailing! ......you might remember a previous thread regarding stalling issues, which was subsequently fixed the next day thanks to all your help (ignition module).

Let me tell you the sequence of events of today that lead to the tow of my vette:

This morning when I first drove the car the battery light came on and then I looked at the volts guage and it was only at about 11-12 volts.........so I continued to drive to work (I had no other option at the time :o ) and the voltage dropped little by little to about 10 volts when I finally parked the car.

Then when I was coming home the voltage kept dropping from the 10 volts to 9 volts...then the ABSLIGHT came on and the engine started revving higher (just under 2000 rpm).

Then when I used the indicators (turn signals ) the car started 'surging' (is that the right word?) and so I turned the indicators off and continued to drive keeping an eye on things. I don't know if I was paranoid but I started to smell a bit of smoke not long after, so I thought I better pull over and sort it all out.

I booked it in at an autoelectrician to get the alternator looked at, and then I called up an organised a tow.

When the tow came the car wouldn't start, so the battery was totally flat.

Have been driving the car around this past week with no troubles (except the check guages light has been on ever since I got the car, and also I pulled code 32 - Exhaust gas recirculation circuit a few days ago).

Its the alternator right? Any thoughts?

Thought I would ask because an alternator is going to cost me nearly $300 here (in Australia) and I just wanted to check with everyone here first.

The autoelectrician is going to check it out tomorrow morning, I just like to be prepared with information when dealing with outside help.

Thanks all for your input and listening to me once again. :

I totally love my 90 vette ! and need to get some photos up to show you all!

 

I went through this on my 1989 about 1 week ago. When I got the car home (after charging from a friends truck it was drivable). I removed and cleaned both battery cables and the 2 connections on the alternator. I then left the battery on the slow charger overnight. In my case a slightly loose connection at the positive battery terminal turned out to be the problem. To properly check the alternator you need to take it off the car. You have several options. You can get your unit rebuilt. I got a quote on $120 US. You can buy a rebuilt unit (personally I wouldn't do this). You can buy new. The best I found on that was $110 exchange US for a Autozone Duralast alternator. Hope this helps.

 

It does sound like a faulty alternator. The accessories drained the battery down after the alternator took a dump. It is very easy to remove the alternator and have it tested somewhere to confirm. Make sure to put a charger on the battery.

 

Get a new GM alternator or get your O.E.M. unit rebuilt by a reputable shop.

I have seen reman Bosch units online for under $100 plus core and shipping, but I can't swear by their quality.


http://catalog.buyautoparts.com/meri...tion=000882430

 

The first few years I had my 87, (three years ahead of you), the tow truck drill came up for: Alternator, Water Pump, Fuel Pump. So far, nothing else has kept the car from running for help under its own power.

Now watch the starter take a dump just because I said this.

 

Your charging system is definitely not working. 95% chance it's the alternator.

Be well,

SJW

 

Thanks for the replies guys.......The car is sitting in the autoelectricians workshop overnight....I'm assuming he is going to test the alternator (I feel sick having someone else working on my car when it is something that I can do myself - that is taking the alternator off and putting it back on - the testing isn't something I can do though).

As soon as the shops open I will call a chev parts shop in Sydney and see if they have a new gm alternator that suits my 90 vette- (I have read stories about refurbished/rebuilt units in the forum archives). - don't want an auto-electrician charging me an arm and a leg - ie the corvette tax (its a super tax here Down Under) for stuff I can do.

Looking through the service/maintenance history of my car (papers from the original owner) ..the alternator has already been changed 2 or 3 times.... but thats ok...if I need one then I will get a GM new one and hope that it lasts.

Can't tell you enough how much this forum and its members has been such a biiiig help........not only with technical things and helping solve problems, but this forum is one of the reasons that gave a gal like me the confidence to purchase and own such a unique car down under where there are not many people can be of help with such cars. I like to live and learn and do what I can to the car myself (my bf is a great help).

 

the charm of this, Alex, there are only a handful of GM alternators, period.

For cars I consider "domestics," meaning, US or Australian, I suspect that number drops even lower. The US and Aussie GM products, as unique as the chassis are, the engine and drivetrain components are nearly interchangeable.

I suspect a new GM alternator should not be hard to get.

Another thought is to have the auto electrician recondition the current alternator, as long as the windings are ok. Here in the states, it costs about $100.00 for that service - new brushes, new diodes, etc.

I cannot believe it would be that different there.

As for problems? I am not really all that suprised... the car sat for a while, and then sat again, and spent time on the salty seas... so things will creap up. Drive it and every mile you add will help that much more!!!!

 

One other thoujght (didn't see it if it was posted already): if the alternator's gone, chances are the battery's life has been shortened by some degree, large or minimal. So keep a watch on that.

 

Sounds like its the altenator, but it could also be the battery goin bad.
Put a charger on the battery on a slow charge over night, and check with a multimeter to see if its holding 12volts.
Within a couple hours of disconnecting the charger check it again and see if it held the charge.
Ive had a bad battery act like it was the altenator before.
Also since your car was stalling before, the altenator could have caused that to. Such as bad bearing in the pully on it, could have dragged the engine down.
Ive had that happen before, it took me a while to figure out why though.

 

You might want to make sure your belt tensioner is ok too.

 

Check this guy out. I bought a new alternator for my Grand Prix from him. Best looking alternator I have ever seen. And I have seen a lot of alternators in my time. I owned an auto & truck repair shop for 20 years!

BTW, the alternator set me back $70!

http://www.motorcityreman.com/high-a...-corvette.html

 

Thanks again for all your replies.

The autoelectrician called me this morning and said the alternator is beyond repair....so I immediately got on the phone to the parts store and bought myself a new GM alternator - well refurbished - I was told that GM never sells NEW ones, they reuse the shells and put new stuff inside.
12 months warranty.
I had it couriered to my house.........should have been here this afternoon, still waiting I was hoping to get it to the autoelectrician this arvo so I could get my car back....but it aint to be today.

BOGUS ....don't you worry........I will be driving my vette alllll the time !!!! soooooooooooo much fun!!!!

 

GM sells new here in the states, but down under, he might be telling the truth.

It makes good sense to use remanned parts... as long as they are done right. Remanned is business speak for "recycling."