Alternator problems get worse, need help
01-10-2007, 08:09 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Alternator problems get worse, need help
Shop from hell experience:
Well, after having my car all day yesterday and ordering the headlight switch they said was pulling a draw from the battery. They did not call all day today. I went to the shop after 5pm and they had just switched out the headlamp switch and a couple of the guys were suppose to be "testdriving" it. I found that a bit suspect because they called them twice to tell them I was there... But whatever. It was apparent they had not touched the car. The guy told me I definitely was not getting my car beck today. So I ask why, and he looks at me and says I need to ask someone else. But if he doesn't know, then how does he know it is not fixed?
The guys return and tell me that I probably need an alternator. The exact thing I brought it in for??? and it took them 5 hours and $700 to tell me that and switch out the headlight switch; Which has been like that for over 6 months without incident, I htink most likely a small and insignificant problem. When I ask why I need one now, when they told me yesterday it was fine? No answer. They then say it could be a bad wire to the alternator. Why couldn't they see that yesterday? My *** is tingling, telling me to get the hell out of there...
I tell them that I will get it fixed somewhere else. NOw the one guy says he wants to try something: he wants to switch out the battery to see if it has a fault? I say no thanks. He then persists, and I say fine, then he says they decided not to do that????
I take my car and 1 mile from my house all of my warning lights start blinking and the lights dim, so I turn off headlights and luckily make it into my garage.
He said the new reading is that amps are fine but volts screwed up. I will attach the receipt. Any advice? Is the alternator a do it yourself job? I saw it for under $300 online. Or should I take it to the dealer and get fleeced again?
HELPPPP!!
Well, after having my car all day yesterday and ordering the headlight switch they said was pulling a draw from the battery. They did not call all day today. I went to the shop after 5pm and they had just switched out the headlamp switch and a couple of the guys were suppose to be "testdriving" it. I found that a bit suspect because they called them twice to tell them I was there... But whatever. It was apparent they had not touched the car. The guy told me I definitely was not getting my car beck today. So I ask why, and he looks at me and says I need to ask someone else. But if he doesn't know, then how does he know it is not fixed?
The guys return and tell me that I probably need an alternator. The exact thing I brought it in for??? and it took them 5 hours and $700 to tell me that and switch out the headlight switch; Which has been like that for over 6 months without incident, I htink most likely a small and insignificant problem. When I ask why I need one now, when they told me yesterday it was fine? No answer. They then say it could be a bad wire to the alternator. Why couldn't they see that yesterday? My *** is tingling, telling me to get the hell out of there...
I tell them that I will get it fixed somewhere else. NOw the one guy says he wants to try something: he wants to switch out the battery to see if it has a fault? I say no thanks. He then persists, and I say fine, then he says they decided not to do that????
I take my car and 1 mile from my house all of my warning lights start blinking and the lights dim, so I turn off headlights and luckily make it into my garage.
He said the new reading is that amps are fine but volts screwed up. I will attach the receipt. Any advice? Is the alternator a do it yourself job? I saw it for under $300 online. Or should I take it to the dealer and get fleeced again?
HELPPPP!!
Last edited by Pugnacious P; 11-01-2007 at 02:35 PM.
01-10-2007, 09:42 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
I really think it's your alternator, and yes it's a DIY job, it will give you screwy results with warning lights like gremlins have invaded your dashboard.Your alternator should put out 150 amps.and more than 11vlts more like 13-14. If you whack a bad alternator with a pipe it may give a charge for a while then crap out later.The brushes(voltage regulator) are not engaging in the alternator they are sticking. you have to change the alternator.
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01-11-2007, 02:53 PM
#11
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Suburbia
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Originally Posted by Einstein
chek my website for instr on how to test your alternator. also install a volt gage. see my web site.
Einstien - Good info on your site. I have archived some of it for future use. Thanks for sharing.
