93 Civic with a D16Y8

So I am pretty strapped for cash right not but I grabbed an alternator from a pick yard and it failed a test at Autozone. I went back to get another one as a replacement with my warranty and it also failed.

So my question is I want to say I read somewhere about alternators from the civic not charging unless it was under some high stress (high RPM), just cant find anything about it now....

Am I really getting this unlucky with them failing or is the test giving a false negative?

If it helps I had a fail on the L side, not sure what that means though.

Thanks for any help, probably going to head back in the morning and give #3 a try.

 

You're thinking of the ELD. Electrical Load Detector.





eH.

 

The "L" circuit's only function is to turn the dash "battery" light on when the alternator detects it has a problem.

The test at the auto store may not be accurate. You should try the alternator in your car. R&R alternator is a pretty quick job once you have the bottom bolt broken loose and able to slide out.

The Mitsubishi alternators tend to last 200k miles or more.

 

Thanks for the replys. Going to give it shot.

 

odds are that the alternators youve been getting are fine, but the parts jockeys aren't testing them correctly.

 

Describe the actual issues with the car. Maybe it's not the alternator that's causing the problems.

 

Well to describe the old issue. I was driving home one night and the battery light came on. Car died less than a mile from home and had to get the wife come jump me off. Took the volt meter to the battery and it was only reading 12 so I checked what connections I could on the alternator and did not have a change on the battery. The previous owner did not keep this car clean and it had an oil leak on the VTech soleniod (replaced the gaskets) and I think eventually oil caked up on it and killed it one way or another.

I ended up getting the second alternator checked at another Autozone and to my surprise it passed. I put it on and I am getting a very minor squeak from what I can only describe as the bearing on the alternator. I am going to let it go for next couple days and see if tightening the belt (in case I am mistaken). If it doesn't I am open to suggestions but will consider swapping to another one from the junk yard.

 

If the belt is tight, return the alternator and tell them that bearing is squeaking.

 

it also may be squeaking because your battery is not charged.

 

Think they'd take it without a receipt if you bought the lifetime warranty one 4th one Im bringing back but I put this one in 9 months ago...The other 3 failed out the box lol. Plus a bud technically bought it.

(No thread jack) and I am well aware you don't work at AutoZone