just recently my car died while i was driving. i noticed the car was running off just my battery so i took the alternator out and got it tested. it was tested to be compltetly dead. than i changed it and the car still ran off just the battery. so i took the new one out and tested it. it only was putting out about 6 volts so that one was shot too. than i just got a new one and put it in, car still ran off just the battery. i just got it tested and it put out 12.5 volt so this one is perfectly fine. all my grounds seem to be fine. WHAT IS GOING ON? any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks.

2:57 AM 2/25/2004
ok, now im realy confused. one day before i had this problem, my seedometer stoped working so of course, i thought the speed sensor was shot. tonight i noticed that the fuse for my alternator sensor was blown so i changed it. started the car up and it held the charge. my problem was fixed including the speedometer. i took it out for a bit and then all of a sudden my speedometer stops working, than 4 minutes later, my radio turns off, that my car died pulling in my driveway. i checked the fuse and it was fine. cars running off just the battery once again.



Modified by todapower at 2:58 AM 2/25/2004

 

 

I think 12.5v output is low. AFAIK, it should be closer to 14v. Other than that, make sure the connector that goes into the alternator is good and clean and none of the pins are bent or pushed in.

Measure the volts at the battery when running. Should be close to around 14v. If not, and your belt is tensioned properly, you've got another POS alternator.

 

dont forget that little ground nut on the alternator itself. check grounds again i guess, and make sure the belt is tight on the alternator so it's spinning well.

 

ok, now im realy confused. one day before i had this problem, my seedometer stoped working so of course, i thought the speed sensor was shot. tonight i noticed that the fuse for my alternator sensor was blown so i changed it. started the car up and it held the charge. my problem was fixed including the speedometer. i took it out for a bit and then all of a sudden my speedometer stops working, than 4 minutes later, my radio turns off, that my car died pulling in my driveway. i checked the fuse and it was fine. cars running off just the battery once again.

 

 

Bump
Help us out..
Anyone think there is a short some where??
Battery was hold/creapin up in charge as car was runnning last night and then all of a sudden clunked out again?? all alterator clips are on and fuse is fine...
Anyone got any ideas??

 

dude i will not even bs you... i worked in advance auto parts for over a year and i have personly sold alt. that came back to me 4 times!!!! it should be putting out right at 14 volts.... check with multimeter.... running with lights and radio off (no load) ..... then have someone flick the lights on and the heater and whatever else... it should drop and come back up to 14+/- a little. it might no be recovering from a load..... and if you take it back off to have it checked ..... watch the guy test it... and the meter he uses.... might be shady!

 

after we changed the fuse, the battery was at 13.5v and climbed to 13.7v in 2 minutes. at that time, i took it off assuming the problem was fixed. drove around with the brights on, radio on, ac, interior lights, the works for 15 minutes, pulled over and sat at an idle for 5 minutes, drove back to my house and it died going up my driveway. im realy interested in how my "speed sensor" and charging system are related, i think thats my key to fnding out whats going on because i find that to be very odd.

 

anyone?

 

bump for the night!

 

thanks for the bump

 

Ok the car is workin fine driving normal, But when he gets on it, the fuse seems to keep blowing??
WTF is that...? and lights keep diming and speedometer stops?
anyideas?