HELP!! Part two - alternator charging issue.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa AL
HELP!! Part two - alternator charging issue.
Just put in a new motor and had a strange incident. While driving, the battery light came on and volts read 11.4. Then over the course of about 20 miles it drained down to 8.4 and the car died - slowly at first and then rapid draining. Jumped it, it drained from 11.x to 8.4 again over the course of 1/2 mile, jumped again, drained down to 8.4 in a tenth of a mile, jumped it again and it only lasted a couple hundred feet, jumped it again and made it to my house - about 1/4 mile. Why??!!! Put in new alternator and battery - initial start-up showed 14.0 volts. Ran it about 5 miles, voltage fluctuated between 13.4 and 13.7, but it seemed to hold 13.4 at least anyway. What's normal? Any ideas on what caused it? Thanks for the help. :mad :confused:
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill Florida
Re: HELP!! Part two - alternator charging issue. (Mark L. Warner)
mine runs at 12.8 with euro fogs on and my system on blast and thats with a 120 amp alt. and a ok duralast batt. so i think you are ok :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Re: HELP!! Part two - alternator charging issue. (Mark L. Warner)
Ran it about 5 miles, voltage fluctuated between 13.4 and 13.7, but it seemed to hold 13.4 at least anyway. What's normal? Any ideas on what caused it? Thanks for the help. :mad :confused:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Princeton Texas
Re: HELP!! Part two - alternator charging issue. (Mark L. Warner)
Mine goes through alternators enough that I keep and spare in the garage. When one dies I replace it with the spare and take the spent one to the alternator shop. Happened again last week. Probably the heat buildup from Dallas traffic.
fp
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma Wa
Re: HELP!! Part two - alternator charging issue. (fiddleplayer)
Whole lot of poor alternators out there but also remember some years corvettes had a problem with the wire loom behind engine being rubbed through by sharp casting on transmission resulting in shorts & alternator failures.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 28
From: Woodbridge NJ
Re: HELP!! Part two - alternator charging issue. (Mark L. Warner)
With the car off the battery should read 11.75 volts, plus/minus .25v. Car started battery should read 13.5 volts/14.0 volts. Start the car and remove the positive battery cable and see if the car runs off the alternator. Make sure the ground is a solid chassic ground. Also confirm a proper positive battery to starter cable.
[Modified by Brimis, 4:48 AM 9/30/2003]
[Modified by Brimis, 4:48 AM 9/30/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: HELP!! Part two - alternator charging issue. (Mark L. Warner)
I use an Tuff Stuff 140 amp. altenator on my '84.
In chrome, No problems, even with the March Pulley System.
Idles cold at 14.7volts
Idles warm at 13.7 volts.
Working great.
tony
:flag
In chrome, No problems, even with the March Pulley System.
Idles cold at 14.7volts
Idles warm at 13.7 volts.
Working great.
tony
:flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 4
From: Windham, NH
Re: HELP!! Part two - alternator charging issue. (Brimis)
Start the car and remove the positive battery cable and see if the car runs off the alternator.
The alternator CAN produce enough of a voltage spike to FRY all kinds of electrical componants in your car. I have had FIRST HAND experiance with this.
A quick way to tell if an alternator is charging is to hold a screwdriver close to the rear of it while the engine is running. If it gets pulled to the case . It is working.
[Modified by Jim Martley2, 2:46 PM 9/30/2003]
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