Alternator going south?..
Thread Starter
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Alternator going south?..
Do they give you any warning signs before they totally stop working? The one on my '85 started making noise (I noticed it at idle when I pulled the car in the garage). I've got to be honest, In the past, that was a part if I had any doubts about its age, I'd just replace it. But a alternator for the Vette costs more than most other cars. Any other symptoms I need to look for? Any input would be appreciated! Thanks! :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Whittier CA
Re: Alternator going south?.. (H P Bushrod)
Mine would make noice while running. You can check by pulling the connector (not the power wire!) and see if it get quieter. If so, maybe time for another one.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Alternator going south?.. (H P Bushrod)
When mine went it just died and the engine wouldn't restart from the low voltage on the battery.
If the bearing or burshes are making noise it's likely a good idea to bite the bullet and get a rebuild AC Delco.
If the bearing or burshes are making noise it's likely a good idea to bite the bullet and get a rebuild AC Delco.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Re: Alternator going south?.. (H P Bushrod)
Check in your yellow pages for a local shop that rebuilds Alt. You'll be happier than if you get one from a nation wide parts store (Autozone, Advance Auto). I paid $85.00 this past friday to have mine rebuilt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Alternator going south?.. (H P Bushrod)
Here's an excellent TECH TIP on repairing your alternator.
www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=106&TopicID= 2
www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=106&TopicID= 2
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
Re: Alternator going south?.. (John Row)
Before my last one went out it would stay really low about 10 volts for a few minutes and then in a matter of seconds it would shoot back up to about 15 for a while. That happened several times on the last time I was able to drive the car with that alternator.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 15
From: The light that never warms.
St. Jude Donor '12
Re: Alternator going south?.. (Vette9d1)
When it goes, DO NOT bother rebuilding it. I rebuilt my '85 alternator twice, it just isn't worth it. The alternators in '84 and '85 was the last of the SI series. Chevy went to the CS the next year, and you should too. The CS is smaller, runs cooler, is electrically quieter, and puts out more amps at idle than the SI. The SI for '84 and '85 was a huge, 120 amp monster that was at its' limits.
You can get a CS144 that fits perfectly in the mounts of your '85. Just email me, and I'll send you the part number for it and the adaptor you'll need for the wires ( just a small adaptor you plug in between the alternator and your factory wiring).
I did this about a year ago - no problems yet! :D
You can get a CS144 that fits perfectly in the mounts of your '85. Just email me, and I'll send you the part number for it and the adaptor you'll need for the wires ( just a small adaptor you plug in between the alternator and your factory wiring).
I did this about a year ago - no problems yet! :D
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 2
From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
Re: Alternator going south?.. (H P Bushrod)
You bet they can quit fast! Yesterday, my '88 died and stranded me on the freeway far from home. I ended up at a nearby AutoZone store and found my alternator and battery were shot. They tried charging my battery and retest it, but it still wasn't any good. I pulled the alternator, they tested that too and it was only putting out 11v. I ended up buying a $55 battery and an $80 alternator. It was all they had in stock so I just bought what they had that fit my car. Everything's back to normal today. This is the very first time I've had a problem with my car since I got it 18 mo. ago. It just rolled over to 161,000 also yesterday!! So far, I'm really getting my money's worth.
Good luck,
Good luck,