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lights on dash


redzero
05-08-2006, 05:48 PM
I have a 96 rodeo with electrical problems. last year shortly after changing my alternator the brake, and four wheel drive engaged lights came on but they were dim. the car ran fine and everything on it was working until one summer day the lights brightened and my AC fan went out. when I took it to my mechanich he checked the alternator and said that it needed to be changed and we got a new alternator which didn't fix the problem. now my radio is not working. what is interesting is that sometimes the lights don't come on and things work for a short while until they stop working again. can anyone tell me if they have such a problem.

Gizmo42
05-08-2006, 08:28 PM
Let me guess, aftermarket alternator.

Isuzus dont like them check http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=557933

Ramblin Fever
05-08-2006, 09:45 PM
Yep, the alternator's still the issue. Have to get OEM (Denso IIRC) or Bosch part# AL4439X

The Bosch is what I have on my '97 and it came with a 2yr warranty/roadside as well.

If the battery, brake light, etc are still on, even though they are dim, it's because your current alt isn't putting out enough. In regards to the A/C, stereo not working, same thing - these trucks are designed to power-down what's not necessary in order to save what juice is left to run right.

Eventually it will trigger funny transmission shifts (if it's an automatic) as well as make your headlights really dim.

Mine got so bad, as to literally only one headlight would come on, this was after it shut off the stereo, all climate controls, dash lights were real dim, gauges even got funny.

Don't be surprized if after you replace your alternator that your battery fails - it's very common for the weak alt's to suck the life out of the battery.

My 3 attempts at the aftermarket alt's killed 2 batteries.

directory
05-09-2006, 10:10 AM
has anyone tried getting their current alt rewound for more power?

or at least getting the new bosch alt rewoud to put out more power.
the placement of the alt in these trucks lack in the ability to allow bigger/ other aftermarket alts to be placed--without minor work with wiring/etc.
i'm basically looking to get about 100-120 amps out of the alt. to run lights/cb's, etc.--any ideas?

would placing the alt higher up on the engine work better to fit aftermarket alts? does it only come down to making it fit with brackets and keeping the belts in line?

what would i be up against? other than trying the fab up a bracket to hold the alt?

Canucklehead
05-09-2006, 10:47 AM
has anyone tried getting their current alt rewound for more power?

or at least getting the new bosch alt rewoud to put out more power.
the placement of the alt in these trucks lack in the ability to allow bigger/ other aftermarket alts to be placed--without minor work with wiring/etc.
i'm basically looking to get about 100-120 amps out of the alt. to run lights/cb's, etc.--any ideas?Read this (http://www.mtmscientific.com/rewind.html) an let us know how it goes. :evillol:

directory
05-09-2006, 04:27 PM
hmmm.. i don't think i want to get all that serious. plus, it doesn't say that it ups the amps--it just reaches it's full potential sooner at lower rpms

Ramblin Fever
05-09-2006, 06:17 PM
Not an easy idea, directory - but, fwiw, I've been running regular lights, off-road driving lights, trailer lights, CB's, aftermarket CD player, a plug-in cooler for now almost 10yrs in my Rodeo. I am on the 3rd alternator though, in 155k miles.

directory
05-09-2006, 06:57 PM
yeah, i have taken that into consideration. i don't know--i guess i'm just form the idea that overkill is better...i learn different soon i guess.

redzero
10-03-2006, 01:59 PM
Thank you all for your response. It turns out the problem was the alternator. I found this out after I took it to an automotive electronics specialist. Even though the alternator I had belongs on a 96 rodeo there were two alternators for that same year depending on which period of the year that the truck was manufactured in. I don't recall the model number of the alternator but if anyone is interested let me know and I will look it up.

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