Alternator going out?
December-27th-2006, 09:57 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Spokane, WA
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Alternator going out?
So I think my alt is goin out... when I step on the brakes my lights dim, when I press the window buttons up or down, the lights go dim on my dash and such... so is that the alt goin out? It also idles pretty low.
Thanks.
Thanks.
January-14th-2007, 03:28 AM
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 132
You might also want to check your connections at the battery, and also check your grounds, make sure they are good. Maybe even try running new thicker guage grounds (don't bother with the kits they are a waste of money), you can just crimp the ends to the ground wires yourself.
January-25th-2007, 10:50 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 55
For the most part if your car starts fairly easily, it's probably not your battery. There's a few ways you can check to see if it's your altenator that's failing. The easiest is to take it to a parts store (i.e - Napa, Parts Source, etc). Most of those places will check your charging system for free. The other way is to get yourself a multimeter and check it yourself. You'll have to disconnect the POS wire from your battery and hook up the multimeter in line with it to your battery. Start your car and look at what your voltage reads. It should read between 13.7 and 14.4. Then turn up your radio/CD, turn on your fan on full and turn on your lights. If you see a considerable drop in voltage (1V or more) that doesn't pick back up, your altenator is going.
Last edited by nicodeemus; January-25th-2007 at 10:53 PM.
January-26th-2007, 06:21 AM
#5
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Location: Maryland
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NO NO NO!You only disconnect the pos wire and put the meter in line to measure AMPERAGE! (do this when looking for a current drain and you are pulling fuses to find it).
Just put the meter across the pos and neg terminals set to VDC and measure voltage. Everything else nicdemus said was correct.
January-26th-2007, 11:47 AM
#7
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: burlington, ON....it's west of Toronto
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just bring in your old alternator to wherever (im pretty sure most auto stores) and get a new one for way cheaper.
i guess that they remanufacture the old, use ones, to be as good as new
i guess that they remanufacture the old, use ones, to be as good as new
January-26th-2007, 12:06 PM
#8
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Colfax, Washington
Posts: 218
Originally Posted by Da P-Funk!
NO NO NO!You only disconnect the pos wire and put the meter in line to measure AMPERAGE! (do this when looking for a current drain and you are pulling fuses to find it).
Just put the meter across the pos and neg terminals set to VDC and measure voltage. Everything else nicdemus said was correct.
January-26th-2007, 01:16 PM
#9
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 11,572
Originally Posted by dentinger
just bring in your old alternator to wherever (im pretty sure most auto stores) and get a new one for way cheaper.
i guess that they remanufacture the old, use ones, to be as good as new
i guess that they remanufacture the old, use ones, to be as good as new
I work at NAPA. Our electronics are remanufactured by Raylock, considered to be probably the best electronics house in the country. Also the unit I quoted him is our "premium" re-man. It comes with a LIFETIME warranty (free replacement) AND 24/7 roadside assistance for 5years if the alternator ever leaves you stranded.
No'one in the country offers that kind of service.
Just fyi, walk in on the alternator is $300+.
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