Alternator....?

[94"Che-rolet"Z34]

Alright, i do believe that my alternator is going out, but i want to get someone elses opinion....

The other day, a spealing noise started in the engine bay, on the pass. side... to me, sounds like its originating in the vacinity of the alternator. Also, the radio just now started squealing... now, i do believe tha could also be caused by things such as a bad ground or a failed diode or noise surpressor... but, i do not believe that the squealing within the engine bay would be... but, correct me if im wrong, please... And, the Voltmeter will fluctuate drastically(from approx. 12.5-13 volt to around 9.5 to 10 while running... and also, will occasionally just drop straight down to about 10, 10.5 and stay there until i kill everything non-essencial.) I do believe that some of these symptoms are shared with a bad connection to, or, a bad/weak battery... but, i dont believe all of them would be? but then again, im no expert.

Also, SES light of doom came on... couldnt get the code before it turned off... and, if someone could tell me EXACTLY how to pull codes, so i know that i am doing it correctly(believe i know how, but... ive learned that its best to have anothers opinion)

Thanx for your help! 'Tis very much appreciated!

[Schurkey]

Get used to alternator failures. I've had 3 in 112, 000 miles. As I understand it, one group of GM engineers (the underhood guys) lied to another group of GM engineers (the alternator development team) about the underhood temperature that the alternator would have to cope with. So the alternator is forced to live in an environment much hotter than it was designed for.

As you might expect, the alternator is a fragile design anyway, having a terrible reputation for early failure in ANY application it was used in. Couple that to an extreme environment, AND burying the thing so far down that you need dynamite to remove it, and you've got a world-class screwup.

Thanks GM.

You might try the Iceberg conversion kit. Includes more heat sink area, and a larger rear bearing. Both of those were known problems with the original design.

[94"Che-rolet"Z34]

So, I'm guessing its safe to assume that my belief in a failing alternator is correct... and, since i am going to be doing this one myself(I must be insane... I swaped a trans out in the same car, a 94 Z34...) where exactly could one find this Iceberg conversion kit? i would greatly appreciate some more info on that... i have actually been trying to think of a better way to cool the thing(obviously the air duct that squeezes between the trans and all the other sh"tuff" in there does not quite cut it...

So, if you could possibly give me more information on the conversion kit, i would be eternally greatful. anything to help my car along.

also, you seem to know a bit about alternators, should i be going to a more powerful one when i rebuild/buy? ive got aftermarket fog lamps, stereo, and 900 watt amp/sub package coupled with a 1.2 farad cap. to lessen the strain on the battery/alternator. Ive been considering a battery with a little larger reserve capacity, and wondering about the alternator also... i have talked to so many "specialists" i dont know where to turn, my instincts tell me, upgrade! your opinion?

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by 94"Che-rolet"Z34

So, I'm guessing its safe to assume that my belief in a failing alternator is correct... and, since i am going to be doing this one myself(I must be insane... I swaped a trans out in the same car, a 94 Z34...) where exactly could one find this Iceberg conversion kit? i would greatly appreciate some more info on that... i have actually been trying to think of a better way to cool the thing(obviously the air duct that squeezes between the trans and all the other sh"tuff" in there does not quite cut it...

So, if you could possibly give me more information on the conversion kit, i would be eternally greatful. anything to help my car along.

also, you seem to know a bit about alternators, should i be going to a more powerful one when i rebuild/buy? ive got aftermarket fog lamps, stereo, and 900 watt amp/sub package coupled with a 1.2 farad cap. to lessen the strain on the battery/alternator. Ive been considering a battery with a little larger reserve capacity, and wondering about the alternator also... i have talked to so many "specialists" i dont know where to turn, my instincts tell me, upgrade! your opinion?

I have a 91 Lumina but it has the 2.5 4 cyl engine, the alt. sits up high, first altinator lasted 150,000 miles, replaced with a 100 amp OE type, now over 208.000 miles and still going. So yes, i think it all that engine heat baking them and casuing them to fail.
I also have a V6 Z24 and can tell you the alt. on it gets WAY hotter than on the Lumina.

[94"Che-rolet"Z34]

yea, its a given, unobstructed airflow vs confined space crammed in between the engine, trans, and everything else they have in there....

[Schurkey]

http://www.alternatorparts.com/iceberg.htm

[94"Che-rolet"Z34]

so, a 94 lumina z34 would have a cs-130?

[94"Che-rolet"Z34]

alright, for my application(1994 chevrolet Lumina Z34 with an aftermarket cd reciever, 900watt amp/subs, and fog lamps) would the
"Delco-Remy CS-130 type Alternator
140 Amp Upgrade with Patented
Finned "Iceberg" Housing"
be the kit for me?

or, would i still be alright going with the 105 amp rebuild/iveberg conversion?

with my reasearch, it seems to be... just checkin with someone with a few more years and little bit more knowledge in the subject...