Bad alternator?
06-20-2010, 02:07 PM
#1
Maintenance Monster
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Bad alternator?
97 SE, 5sp, 215k.
Today I was driving on the highway for almost an hour when I hit a rough patch of road and my cruise kicked out, ABS light came on, radio cut out for a second, and my air bag light began to blink. No CEL. It continued to drive ok and I pulled off at the next exit and turned around for home. It came to mind that my current battery is probably 60k old and my alternator was over 100k.
I turned off the radio, A/C, and headlights and things seemed ok but there were some moments where the car seemed to lose power for a second or two. I got home ok avoiding the highway and taking it easy.
At home I checked the voltage and the battery alone is 12.40v. With the engine running and accessories off it was 13.6v with a couple of moments around 12.6v. Then I turned on A/C and headlights and voltage dropped to 12.5v and stayed there. A/C only, it was 12.6v.
I have not done these tests before on the car when it was working well, but I'm thinking voltage regulator on the alternator: agree?
If so, who makes a reasonably priced and high quality alternator these days? (Edit: I now see I can get a Nissan for $190, which isn't terribly expensive)
Today I was driving on the highway for almost an hour when I hit a rough patch of road and my cruise kicked out, ABS light came on, radio cut out for a second, and my air bag light began to blink. No CEL. It continued to drive ok and I pulled off at the next exit and turned around for home. It came to mind that my current battery is probably 60k old and my alternator was over 100k.
I turned off the radio, A/C, and headlights and things seemed ok but there were some moments where the car seemed to lose power for a second or two. I got home ok avoiding the highway and taking it easy.
At home I checked the voltage and the battery alone is 12.40v. With the engine running and accessories off it was 13.6v with a couple of moments around 12.6v. Then I turned on A/C and headlights and voltage dropped to 12.5v and stayed there. A/C only, it was 12.6v.
I have not done these tests before on the car when it was working well, but I'm thinking voltage regulator on the alternator: agree?
If so, who makes a reasonably priced and high quality alternator these days? (Edit: I now see I can get a Nissan for $190, which isn't terribly expensive)
Last edited by dgeesaman; 06-20-2010 at 02:09 PM.
06-20-2010, 06:25 PM
#2
maybe you just hit something under your car , that make short circuit somewhere and eating power from alternator when car running, and this abs thing... i would look under car - first thought
06-20-2010, 06:28 PM
#3
Well considering vie gone through four aftermarket alternators I'll say oem ftw.
If your voltage is that low I would say it's most likely your alternator.
Battery voltage is usually 12.6 Or so.. And with the engine running it should be around 14.5..... Not 13...
If it's not the alt it's the battery, service records should tell you which it is.
If your voltage is that low I would say it's most likely your alternator.
Battery voltage is usually 12.6 Or so.. And with the engine running it should be around 14.5..... Not 13...
If it's not the alt it's the battery, service records should tell you which it is.
06-20-2010, 06:31 PM
#4
Btw.. When you do your alternator redo your factory grounds as well as some new upgraded grounding points. Tranny especially.
06-20-2010, 07:01 PM
#5
Maintenance Monster
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Well I know the battery is due, so that'll get replaced. I checked my FSM, the voltage should be 14.1 to 14.7v.
I think that makes an alternator and a battery. Whee, fun.
I think that makes an alternator and a battery. Whee, fun.
06-21-2010, 08:03 AM
#7
My stock battery lasted 200k miles. And only kicked the bucket due to faulty grounds and playing my subs with the car off. So that's proof that if you take care of it, it'll take care of you.
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