High voltage several system failures
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
From: Traverse City MI
High voltage several system failures
So I was looking around today on the forums and saw lots of more complicated electrical issues than I had, so I wanted to kick out my experience today and hopefully help out someone else who has same issue. I floored the gas (nothing unusual...) and did a nice whip around and noticed all my electrics stuff shut down, said to service charging system, abs brakes, etc etc... Then off car, restart- all is well. Start driving again and get on it- everything shuts off again... Heads up display first, stereo... Then I realzie my voltage is spiking with my rpms.
After checking my grounds, starter connection, alternator connection... Decided to just go to parts store and swap alternator in parking lot. Sure enough problem solved. That was my second AC delco alternator to go... Switched to an off brand with a lifetime warranty. It takes 15 minutes to change with 2 sockets and a buddy to do the tensioner while you pull the belt... It could die every week and it'd be better than paying 300+ for OEM and changing it every year.
Anyone else had repeated alternator failures? seems as though they don't appreciate 7k+ rpms.
After checking my grounds, starter connection, alternator connection... Decided to just go to parts store and swap alternator in parking lot. Sure enough problem solved. That was my second AC delco alternator to go... Switched to an off brand with a lifetime warranty. It takes 15 minutes to change with 2 sockets and a buddy to do the tensioner while you pull the belt... It could die every week and it'd be better than paying 300+ for OEM and changing it every year.
Anyone else had repeated alternator failures? seems as though they don't appreciate 7k+ rpms.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
From: Traverse City MI
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
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From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
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Also, could be oil/WD-40 in the unit that has a wet short between the input and output of the voltage regulator legs, and causing the spike as well.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
From: Traverse City MI
Doesn't a beefed up alternator defeat the purpose of underdrive pulley though? I've never paid too much attention to how they beef em up I just figure you have to put in X amount of work from engine to get out Y amount of power. Unless they justdo it with better conductors etc?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 44
From: Sacramento CA
So I was looking around today on the forums and saw lots of more complicated electrical issues than I had, so I wanted to kick out my experience today and hopefully help out someone else who has same issue. I floored the gas (nothing unusual...) and did a nice whip around and noticed all my electrics stuff shut down, said to service charging system, abs brakes, etc etc... Then off car, restart- all is well. Start driving again and get on it- everything shuts off again... Heads up display first, stereo... Then I realzie my voltage is spiking with my rpms.
After checking my grounds, starter connection, alternator connection... Decided to just go to parts store and swap alternator in parking lot. Sure enough problem solved. That was my second AC delco alternator to go... Switched to an off brand with a lifetime warranty. It takes 15 minutes to change with 2 sockets and a buddy to do the tensioner while you pull the belt... It could die every week and it'd be better than paying 300+ for OEM and changing it every year.
Anyone else had repeated alternator failures? seems as though they don't appreciate 7k+ rpms.
After checking my grounds, starter connection, alternator connection... Decided to just go to parts store and swap alternator in parking lot. Sure enough problem solved. That was my second AC delco alternator to go... Switched to an off brand with a lifetime warranty. It takes 15 minutes to change with 2 sockets and a buddy to do the tensioner while you pull the belt... It could die every week and it'd be better than paying 300+ for OEM and changing it every year.
Anyone else had repeated alternator failures? seems as though they don't appreciate 7k+ rpms.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
From: Traverse City MI