Failing alternator cause sudden power loss?
03-20-2006 | 07:32 PM
#1
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From: Palm Springs
Failing alternator cause sudden power loss?
Well.. i posted a thread a few days ago about steppping on the throttle, and very little happens, feels like theres a sock in the intake. I just noticed that my alternator guage is only reading 10 with the radio and lights on, 11 with lights and radio off.
So.. first off.. what the hell is going on with my alternator. Starting to give out on me? The belt tension is fine.
Second.. is maybe the Throttle Position Sensor not getting enough power.. hence the wierd throttle problems? I think its probably linked. I didnt have problems until the alternator was reading low.
The alternator used to read about 13 volts.. so is this how alternators usually fail? Or do they just give out all together? Thanks
-Jeff
So.. first off.. what the hell is going on with my alternator. Starting to give out on me? The belt tension is fine.
Second.. is maybe the Throttle Position Sensor not getting enough power.. hence the wierd throttle problems? I think its probably linked. I didnt have problems until the alternator was reading low.
The alternator used to read about 13 volts.. so is this how alternators usually fail? Or do they just give out all together? Thanks
-Jeff
03-20-2006 | 09:05 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Phoenix, Az
the voltmeter isn't that accurate. check it with a decent dvm or take it to checker, autozone, carquest, napa and they can check it all..
a/c, fans, lites, really put a drain on the system and if the volts are low enuff, the fuel pump stops pumping.
87951
a/c, fans, lites, really put a drain on the system and if the volts are low enuff, the fuel pump stops pumping.
87951
03-20-2006 | 10:35 PM
#3
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From: Burlington. NJ
I my electrical system was drained pretty badly today. But I got the car runnin down the road and noticed I had the same "sock in intake" feel.
As the alternator induced a good amount of V the throttle got me back up to 6K pretty quickly.
As the alternator induced a good amount of V the throttle got me back up to 6K pretty quickly.
03-21-2006 | 12:24 AM
#4
Hey Man
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From: Nor Cal, Seal Rock, OR
If your alternator is failing and charging anywhere below 12.5 V you can have some serious driveability issues under load as the battery drains and the alt. can't supply the enough juice for normal ops. Clean all your grounds, battery terminals, and hard wire connections, especially at the starter and alt. You probably only need brushes but the voltage regulator comes with them anyway and is often cheaper just to buy the whole module with diodes. Again, voltage drop can make you car run like a slug! take to to any auto supply and they will test it for free.
03-21-2006 | 12:15 PM
#6
Drifting
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From: Shirley Ma
http://www.paragon-products.com/prod...sch_30.091.htm Voltage regulator
Last edited by cjeckert; 03-21-2006 at 12:50 PM.
03-21-2006 | 12:41 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by KuHL 951
If your alternator is failing and charging anywhere below 12.5 V you can have some serious driveability issues under load as the battery drains and the alt. can't supply the enough juice for normal ops. Clean all your grounds, battery terminals, and hard wire connections, especially at the starter and alt. You probably only need brushes but the voltage regulator comes with them anyway and is often cheaper just to buy the whole module with diodes. Again, voltage drop can make you car run like a slug! take to to any auto supply and they will test it for free.
this is very true.
ask me how i know.
(and loose battery cables can make your car shoot race-car flames!)