85 c4 alternator
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma city ok
85 c4 alternator
85 c4 with 206,000 miles still running strong :)
my voltage gauge is turning on and showing that the charging system is running out of spec (way low, 10-11) unless i rev the motor. i am guessing i need an alternator.
now heres the part i need advice on, i was told i could use a heavy duty optional one (120 amp) for 9 dollars more. sounds good to me but the guy at the parts store said it may not work.
so what do the rest of you think? The car has power everthing except passenger seat.
my voltage gauge is turning on and showing that the charging system is running out of spec (way low, 10-11) unless i rev the motor. i am guessing i need an alternator.
now heres the part i need advice on, i was told i could use a heavy duty optional one (120 amp) for 9 dollars more. sounds good to me but the guy at the parts store said it may not work.
so what do the rest of you think? The car has power everthing except passenger seat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: 85 c4 alternator (tusker)
Hey welcome to CF. Did the parts guy give you any particular reason as to why it wont work? Also, you can take the alt off and have a local parts store test it to make sure it is dead before coughing up the cash for a new one. If you do buy a new one, make sure the battery is charged up before you let that new alt see it. If you have a weak battery, you will burn out your new alt faster too. AutoZone can usually charge your battery and test your alt for free and fast. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: 85 c4 alternator (Bluevette85)
I just replaced mine and I purchased it from NAPA. $175 and it is a 120V which is stock.
The alternator is Lifeime warrented.
Take your alternator into the store and they can check it.
After installing - my volts on the guage showed 13.4 - 13.6, so I asked Napa to check the battery charge on the car and it showed 14V+.
Don't trust your guages completely - Have them verified.
The alternator is Lifeime warrented.
Take your alternator into the store and they can check it.
After installing - my volts on the guage showed 13.4 - 13.6, so I asked Napa to check the battery charge on the car and it showed 14V+.
Don't trust your guages completely - Have them verified.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Re: 85 c4 alternator (Bluevette85)
Yup, 120amp was stock.
I replaced the alternator about 3 years ago with an AutoZone new (not refurb) model, and haven't had an issue yet. I have pulleys on the car so it spins slower than normal. at Idle I get 11.5v charging, under load I get normal 14-14.3volts.. I was thinking of getting a higher amperage unit, maybe a 160, so it offsets the slower turning of the pulley. But everything is good as it is.. Besides Im selling the car. ;-)
I replaced the alternator about 3 years ago with an AutoZone new (not refurb) model, and haven't had an issue yet. I have pulleys on the car so it spins slower than normal. at Idle I get 11.5v charging, under load I get normal 14-14.3volts.. I was thinking of getting a higher amperage unit, maybe a 160, so it offsets the slower turning of the pulley. But everything is good as it is.. Besides Im selling the car. ;-)
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma city ok
Re: 85 c4 alternator (VetteNoob)
thanks for the information.
looks like the 120a is the right one
i would have got back sooner but i had to go round and round with oreilly's
man that store sucks (had to buy 2 of them becuase they claimed it wasnt the one they sold me, even tho i had the reciept and the original box, then the new one had a helicore in it that was the wrong size, luckly there was enough thread left to make it work once i got the helicore out)
the good news is the car is running better than ever
the second gear scratch has improved (not something i would have expected)
looks like the 120a is the right one
i would have got back sooner but i had to go round and round with oreilly's
man that store sucks (had to buy 2 of them becuase they claimed it wasnt the one they sold me, even tho i had the reciept and the original box, then the new one had a helicore in it that was the wrong size, luckly there was enough thread left to make it work once i got the helicore out)
the good news is the car is running better than ever
the second gear scratch has improved (not something i would have expected)
