Alternator replacement - rebuild or buy?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Good idea Bill. I've considered the same thing myself but just never got around to doing it. Since I'm not experiencing any problems; just lazy I guess.
I would however, seriously recommend this to anyone living in regions of the country that experience snows/road salt, etc.
Robert
I would however, seriously recommend this to anyone living in regions of the country that experience snows/road salt, etc.
Robert
Holy CRAP! That would be me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BC New London CT
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 84
From: . New York
I just went through this, if you want, check this post
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1770528
Bottom line :
If the car starts ok, and its not eating batteries, just drive it, dont fixate on the voltage reading on the DIC (like I did).
As I understand it now (or think I understand it anyway) the DIC is not telling you what the battery is doing, it is telling you what the alternator is supplying to the system, this changes due to a bunch of things (the load on the system, the temp of the alternator...etc). My battery was rated at 790 CCA (Red Top) but was actually putting out 820 CCA while the DIC voltage was fluctuating. The guy that worked on the car explained the slow changes to the reading on the dic as evidence that the computer controlled charging system was working to regulate the ramp up to supplying more voltage when the load increases, rather than letting it spike up (which would be more taxing to the alternator).
Mine showed 12 at the end of the trip down to the shore on vacation, I got nutz, didnt want to drive it home. Had the battery replaced, had the charging system load tested, and a bunch of grounds checked. All (except one ground) checked out fine. Still had the fluctuation. Three hours home, been driving it around town, car is running fine (no codes, no problem starting, no dimming lights). I got nutz for nothing.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1770528
Bottom line :
If the car starts ok, and its not eating batteries, just drive it, dont fixate on the voltage reading on the DIC (like I did).
As I understand it now (or think I understand it anyway) the DIC is not telling you what the battery is doing, it is telling you what the alternator is supplying to the system, this changes due to a bunch of things (the load on the system, the temp of the alternator...etc). My battery was rated at 790 CCA (Red Top) but was actually putting out 820 CCA while the DIC voltage was fluctuating. The guy that worked on the car explained the slow changes to the reading on the dic as evidence that the computer controlled charging system was working to regulate the ramp up to supplying more voltage when the load increases, rather than letting it spike up (which would be more taxing to the alternator).
Mine showed 12 at the end of the trip down to the shore on vacation, I got nutz, didnt want to drive it home. Had the battery replaced, had the charging system load tested, and a bunch of grounds checked. All (except one ground) checked out fine. Still had the fluctuation. Three hours home, been driving it around town, car is running fine (no codes, no problem starting, no dimming lights). I got nutz for nothing.
Last edited by Jistari; Aug 10, 2007 at 02:22 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
You have no problem.
