Alternator dead?

[FrodoGT]

So I noticed while driving today during my lunch hour that my voltage was sitting steady at 12v, which is fine if im idling, but it will normally jump to 14v if I tap the throttle. But this time it did nothing. The longer I drove, the lower my voltage went, until it really started getting low, then my tach would die when I hit the breakes or turn signal, and finally my radio cut off, then tried to power back on, again and again..I made it back to work and by this time the battery was all but gone (damn these little cars can run on like 6v), so I jumped the battery long enough to get it home tonight, and although I havent searched it fully..the battery is firmly attached, alternator is as well, and the belt is not broken. Just found it odd that a once very strong alternator would suddenly die. This thing never flinched even with my two 12" type R's (which I dont run very loud normally).

[TheSilentChamber]

Alternators usually allways die suddenly.

[FrodoGT]

Good to know, never had one go on me before..well my 99 auroras went out, but I wasnt driving the car so I dont know how it behaved before.

[Hybrid1990crx]

if you really want take it to a parts store to get it tested. but from what you said it def sounds to have gone bad.

[bambam89lx]

It's not necessarilly the alternator. Many people don't know what the COMPLETE charging system consists of.

The crank pulley, alternator, belt, battery, 3 grounds (tranny, valve cover, thermostat), and the fusible link (fat white wire on alternator).

Make sure your grounds are all clean and tight. Also, make sure the fat wite alternator wire hasn't come loose. It runs from the alternator to the fuse box in the left corner of the engine bay.
Your battery may also have a dead cell. Alot of people get hung up on voltage, but forget to check the amperage of their battery. make sure it has AT LEAST 500 amps in it when it's cold.

[FrodoGT]

Theres the answer I was looking for, Thanks Bambam. In response, the crank pulley is fine, as is the belt. all three grounds are just fine, as is the wire connected to the alternator, all tight and have good connections. I have not yet checked the fuse to see if it could have blown, and if it did, Ive got bigger problems. It was dark out by the time I got off work so I really didnt have time to fool with it, I checked everything visually in the daylight though. I havent gotten anywhere to have it checked out, I really just wanted to get it home.

[bambam89lx]

Originally Posted by FrodoGT

Theres the answer I was looking for, Thanks Bambam. In response, the crank pulley is fine, as is the belt. all three grounds are just fine, as is the wire connected to the alternator, all tight and have good connections. I have not yet checked the fuse to see if it could have blown, and if it did, Ive got bigger problems. It was dark out by the time I got off work so I really didnt have time to fool with it, I checked everything visually in the daylight though. I havent gotten anywhere to have it checked out, I really just wanted to get it home.

IF in fact your grounds ARE good, check the amperage of your battery and make sure it's amperage matches what's listed on it. CCA = cold cranking amps.

If everything checks out, remove the alternator and bring it over to good ol' autoblown. They'll check it for free, as i'm sure you know.

[FrodoGT]

Yeah, if only I werent working every waking hour for the next 3 days. God damn retail and christmas... at least I have another car.

[FrodoGT]

Aight, heres one to scratch your heads over..

I got an alternator, even had em test it so that I didnt put the damn thing in to find out that its a dud. Its all fine. I put the alternator in the car, hook everything back up, and double check my grounds just for good measure. Recharged the battery and fired it up. Nothing has changed. I drove it to the auto parts store to have them test the battery, which I assumed could be the only thing left. They tell me that its fine, but my alternator is bad..wtf?! He was taking measurements at the battery, so I assume that the alternator (which tested great on the stand) was now screwed up. Only thing it could be to me is the connection between the alternator and the battery right? Im going to take my original alternator to em tomorrow to make sure thatit is still good, which I have a feeling it is.

What do you guys think? My battery still wont charge, and when tested the battery peaked at 12.1v (I had charged it earlier so I assume the alternator wasnt changing anything)

[bambam89lx]

Originally Posted by FrodoGT

Aight, heres one to scratch your heads over..

I got an alternator, even had em test it so that I didnt put the damn thing in to find out that its a dud. Its all fine. I put the alternator in the car, hook everything back up, and double check my grounds just for good measure. Recharged the battery and fired it up. Nothing has changed. I drove it to the auto parts store to have them test the battery, which I assumed could be the only thing left. They tell me that its fine, but my alternator is bad..wtf?! He was taking measurements at the battery, so I assume that the alternator (which tested great on the stand) was now screwed up. Only thing it could be to me is the connection between the alternator and the battery right? Im going to take my original alternator to em tomorrow to make sure thatit is still good, which I have a feeling it is.

What do you guys think? My battery still wont charge, and when tested the battery peaked at 12.1v (I had charged it earlier so I assume the alternator wasnt changing anything)

Check the fat white wire that goes from the alternator to the fuse box. Make sure the connections are sanded and tight. Use a multimeter to test for continuity. You should do this with all your grounds too (check for continuity).

[CK-1]

Originally Posted by FrodoGT

Aight, heres one to scratch your heads over..

I got an alternator, even had em test it so that I didnt put the damn thing in to find out that its a dud. Its all fine. I put the alternator in the car, hook everything back up, and double check my grounds just for good measure. Recharged the battery and fired it up. Nothing has changed. I drove it to the auto parts store to have them test the battery, which I assumed could be the only thing left. They tell me that its fine, but my alternator is bad..wtf?! He was taking measurements at the battery, so I assume that the alternator (which tested great on the stand) was now screwed up. Only thing it could be to me is the connection between the alternator and the battery right? Im going to take my original alternator to em tomorrow to make sure thatit is still good, which I have a feeling it is.

What do you guys think? My battery still wont charge, and when tested the battery peaked at 12.1v (I had charged it earlier so I assume the alternator wasnt changing anything)

Is this the same battery that you used when this all started?.. It could be the battery as well which could have a bad cell that was going bad when this all started. I would get a new battery since the old one was put on a heavy strain getting you home..

Could be the soleniod as well....

[FrodoGT]

It was the alternator, and the one I replaced it with was bad from the start..damn auto parts store cant test an alternator for shit apparently. Took the original one to an alternator shop, guy plopped it on the stand and spun it up, 0 amps..around 9v. Instantly said "sounds like the brushes are gone", took him 3 minutes and no effort to replace them. Back on the stand, it pulled almost 15v and 150 amps. cost me $20

It now sits at 14v+ all the time, and not just when I hit the throttle.

[bambam89lx]

Originally Posted by FrodoGT

It was the alternator, and the one I replaced it with was bad from the start..damn auto parts store cant test an alternator for shit apparently. Took the original one to an alternator shop, guy plopped it on the stand and spun it up, 0 amps..around 9v. Instantly said "sounds like the brushes are gone", took him 3 minutes and no effort to replace them. Back on the stand, it pulled almost 15v and 150 amps. cost me $20

It now sits at 14v+ all the time, and not just when I hit the throttle.

Glad to hear. I apologize for recommending autoblown. They're usually on top of things. But then again, the people that they hire have absolutely no mechanical experience whatsoever, usually.

[abomb1212]

Same thing happened to me about 5 days ago it was my alternator