Alternator frying eggs?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: Madison Mississippi
Alternator frying eggs?
I drove to Wally World this AM to buy a minnow bucket ( long Story) While, on my way home my volt gauge started fluctuating between 11.9 and 13.1 volts. I got home and lifted the hood to check the alternator and it was smoking hot. I spit on it and it fried off!!!. I have never saw anything like this before. No noise, just hot as hell. I let it cool off for several hours and started it back up guess what? Volts were fine @ 14.2 with one problem, the alternator was getting hot to the touch (2 minutes time). I suspect the bearing case is bad. Anyone ever had one get this hot? Normally, I would just replace it, but the alternator works fine cool. Bearings? or Replace? Rebuild? I may have the quietest fried alternator ever I dunno? Anybody? :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Alternator frying eggs? (RUBYREDVETTECARD)
Seems like you've caught the problem before it left you stranded somewhere far from home.
I'd remove the alternator and have load tested - many of the auto parts stores can do it for free.
Be prepared to replace it; I'll bet it's on its last legs.
Jake
I'd remove the alternator and have load tested - many of the auto parts stores can do it for free.
Be prepared to replace it; I'll bet it's on its last legs.
Jake
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: Camden SC
Re: Alternator frying eggs? (JAKE)
Get out the phone book, Automotive-Electrical. With a local rebuilder, you know who did the work. I always look for a guy with gray hair.
Sounds like the rectifier-bridge assembly, maybe a bearing. Shorted battery getting the whole thing hot, not sure.
Remove and test alternator. Check battery.
Minnow bucket and a Corvette. Add a 12 pack, and I'm in.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
Sounds like the rectifier-bridge assembly, maybe a bearing. Shorted battery getting the whole thing hot, not sure.
Remove and test alternator. Check battery.
Minnow bucket and a Corvette. Add a 12 pack, and I'm in.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: charlotte nc
Re: Alternator frying eggs? (RUBYREDVETTECARD)
Your alternator has a diode in the rectifier bridge that is shorted to ground. You can fix it yourself for less than 50 bucks. Just replace the rectifier bridge. You can buy the at local parts store( may have to order). There is an excellent tip on how to rebuild your alternator in the tips section under tools. If you have a soldering iron and a digital multimeter, you can do it yourself and if you check everything out with the meter while you are in there, you will be ok. Why pay 150 for a rebuilt unit when most of the time it is a bad rectifier bridge? It ain't rocker science. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: Madison Mississippi
Re: Alternator frying eggs? (dwestsr)
Sounds good to me. I know a gray headed old guy that will dig into it for a few dollars. You know, I still can't figure out why it's putting out good voltage. I am leaning towards a bad bearing but, it gets real hot, real fast ...I dunno It probably is a bad bearing AND voltage rectifier. Either way, I think we got this puppy whiped for around 50 or so bucks. Thanks guys, I love this forum :hurray: Oh yeah, we did have the twelve pack back at the house with the truck and the boat.
[Modified by RUBYREDVETTECARD, 10:03 PM 5/2/2004]
[Modified by RUBYREDVETTECARD, 10:03 PM 5/2/2004]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: Madison Mississippi
Re: Alternator frying eggs? (dwestsr)
Sounds good to me. I know a gray headed old guy that will dig into it for a few dollars. You know, I still can't figure out why it's putting out good voltage. I am leaning towards a bad bearing but, it gets real hot, real fast ...I dunno It probably is a bad bearing AND voltage rectifier. Either way, I think we got this puppy whiped for around 50 or so bucks. Thanks guys, I love this forum :hurray:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Re: Alternator frying eggs? (RUBYREDVETTECARD)
I just put a new 140amp alternator on my 93 vette. I just happen to touch the alternator. That freaking thing is real hot. It is not normal is it??? I don't remember my old one is that hot. But when I check the voltage gauge it is ok, nothing seem unusual. Should I be concern about?? it has a 60 days warrantee from Autozones.
Bruce
Bruce
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: Camden SC
Re: Alternator frying eggs? (Bruce)
I would check the battery charge, battery load test, clean the terminals, then check. Check terminals on the alternator.
With a low battery charge, alternators can get hot. Bad diode in the rectifier-bridge assembly will generate sufficient heat to cause some conern.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
With a low battery charge, alternators can get hot. Bad diode in the rectifier-bridge assembly will generate sufficient heat to cause some conern.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: Madison Mississippi
Re: Alternator frying eggs? (dlmeyers)
Ok, the results are in. (According to the old gray headed man) They found a bad diode and the rectifier was bad. Total cost to rebuild;including new paint $75.00 . I put it in last night and it read 15.1v I shut it off and went to bed. Thanks for the help guys. It saved me 1/2 the cost of a new one and I guarantee it will last longer than autozone's crap. Here's to the forum :cheers:
