Car has 115k on it and the alternator is stock. Its making some bearing noise and the voltage fluctuates pretty heavy when the fan kicks on. Sometimes it drops 1v. It effects the idle of the car and if the fan kicks on right as the engine is falling to idle sometimes it wants to stall.

94 GSR.

Is the stock alternator 90amps?

I was going to get another honda alt from the dealer until I saw the price tag. No thanks!

What is the best solution? Rebuild or replace with something else? Anyone have any recommendations? I am not against spending money on good parts, I just don't feel that $800 is a reasonable number for a common alternator. I am sketched out about parts stores these days. Really sub par parts coming from stores I used to trust.

Optima Red Top in the trunk. 250A Fuse. 1/0 Copper fine stranded wire to factory harness.
FAL Single Fan
ID1000 Injectors
HID Headlights
2000W RMS Audio
No AC

 

I think I am going to get one from pepboys. The prostart line seems to get good reviews and has a lifetime warranty. Found several "I'm on my 3rd advance ap alternator in as many weeks" threads ect ect

There is a local place that seems to be a good rebuild shop but it costs the same and doesn't have the warranty.

 

Excessive voltage drop is normally due to a battery that cannot react fast enough, as the power comes from the battery first, the alternator just replenishes at a rate equal to or greater than the battery. Poor ELD could be the cause.

There aren't many thing inside an alternator. Check for ripple voltage, if the ripple is excessive, check the battery connections and alternator wire, then replace the battery and recheck. If ripple still does not improve, replace the diode assembly and check the slip rings and bearings for wear, replace as needed. Most of the time it is the slip rings that squeal.

 

Thanks for the reply. I will definitely look into it. The car sat for a couple years and it always sounded like it had a rough spot in one of the bearings since then.

Battery is brand new but I swapped it for the one out of my xj (also brand new) and it did the same thing. I rechecked all the grounds and cleaned all connections with no improvement.

I am going to try wiring the fan directly to the 1/0 distribution block and use a secondary relay. I am hoping that will help. Seems to be a common fix for the radiator fan.