ca993twin

While driving Rufus home on the freeway yesterday, it gradually crapped out to the point where is stopped running, and had to be towed back to the shop. I suspect its the alternator, though I'm curious why the nearly new battery wouldn't keep it going for more than about 8 miles in the daylight.

How much am I likely to be charged for an alternator? Any other likely suspects? Symptoms include high speed misfire, then warning lights started coming on, then speedo went to zero mph, then it stopped running. In the shop, the car started right up with a spare battery plugged in.

Help????????

Edward

Hi Steve,

Again, congrats on Rufus!!!
When my alt went out it was on a fun run (and two of our rennlist brethren bailed me out by getting me a battery so I could continue on with the crew). Similar symptoms as you described, but I WAS able to go for more than 8 miles ...dunno how to answer that one. I sourced out an alternator and they range in price from a low of about $250 to around $300. Don't know what a shop would charge to R&R it, but it's an easy job if you're looking to save a few bucks. Gimme a holler if you want a hand, or we could do it at my place ...Take care

Edward

Felix

When my alternator belt went I think I had one start and 2 miles and then the car started to act up, this with a 9 month old battery. The load on the electrical system is probably reasonably high (think ECU, climate fan, fuel pump, hydraulic pump, radio, perhaps AC, etc) and some of the electronics are not willing to work properly at less than 12 volts or thereabouts. Clue 1 for me was the ABS, ABD and brake warning lights together with the alternator light. Clue two was the radio starting to turn itself on and off. Clue three was power loss.

allill

ca993twin,

did the alternator light come on while all this was happening?


-jeff

kkim

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...light=autozone

ca993twin

Thanks for the help. I "think" the alternator light came on at about the same time as the ABS light. Not sure if was the alternator light until I get my car back. My mechanic doesn't want to use the low-priced alternative, so I'm stuck with another butt-reaming. Edward, I wish I could take you up on your offer, but I really can't do it now. The mechanic says the alternator is bad, battery is good. I'm wondering if I dorked this up when I cut the wire to the stupid cell-phone holder to remove it. And this is why I keep my title of doofus of the year.

jw97C2S

Steve
Often it is just the internal brushes that wear inside the alternator. They are usually very easy to change. Saved my brother $400 on his Lexus alternator by installing $15 worth of brushes. You may want to look into it.

Jim

ca993twin

Jim,

You guys are obviously skilled DIYers. I'm a doofus. Much as I'd like to save the money, I really have to let my mechanic do it his way, or I'll lose him as a mechanic. I'll just be trying out the new "self warming KY personal lubricant".

mleds

Mine went with similar symptoms a few weeks back on the I-60 in about 102 degree weather. Towed it locally to Stuttgart Porsche in Walnut. Awesome work, great guys..... no affiliation except that they had my car ready and waiting the next afternoon. Under $600 installed and rolling. I think that they used a re-worked Bosch (came with warranty of 2-3 years I think). I was very happy.
ML

SPIKES

always disconnect the battery when doing altenator work...ask me how i know

boostid

Steve;

Had my alternator replaced a year ago by local independent shop. They charged me $354 for alternator and 4 hrs labor ($360). Total $741 including sales tax. I may have been able to do better somewhere else.

We need to form the doofus society. My story was that I installed a new Optima and somehow managed to reverse the battery leads. I'd probably done this right at least a dozen times on other cars, but had to do the screw up on the big $$ car. I kicked myself for at least a week. Anyone else want to become a charter member?

Good Luck

Rick Sylvestri

Hey Hal,

If you don't mind me asking, where did you have the work done? I'm a proud new owner in the 993 club and live close by.
Thanks, Rick

viperbob

Steve,

Put in the RS fan piece at this time an you'll probably save money. Pressing the bearing off the alternator shaft takes some time, and then you have to press it on the new one. A shop that knows what they are doing will get it done in 2-3 hours.

jhardman

doofus society

i did the same thing...installed new optima battery...backwards. I now know the posts are of different size...expensive lesson learned.

boostid

Hey Hal,

If you don't mind me asking, where did you have the work done? I'm a proud new owner in the 993 club and live close by.
Thanks, Rick

Rick;
Congratulations on your 993. I've had 3 of them and they've all been great cars. Alternator (plus a bunch of other work) done at Mind Over Motorsports on Miramar in San Diego.

Regards,