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View Full Version : I Think I Blew My Alternator


MiLo
01-22-2014, 02:33 PM
FRIDAY
i noticed my battery light was on after i started it to let it run while i dusted the snow off my car to go to work... the lights were dim and the wipers barely moved as i was driving, but the car was still driving normal. when i made turns the battery light would flicker on and off. but pretty much stayed on until i got on the expressway and the battery light turned off. later that night i was driving home from work and the light was on again. and on the drive home while on the expressway the headlights went out and the dash lights were dimming out pretty quickly, so i put the blinkers on and they were blinking slower than molasses. so i got off before someone crashed into me and parked in a lot to see what was going on. just so happened it was a walmart lot. i popped the hood a played with the battery wires and noticed the negative was a lil loose. a so i tightened it. and tried to start the car. it started but the lights were still dim. so i turned the car off and thought it could be the battery. so without thinking much more i just decided to unplug both both battery wires and go and buy a new battery. when i came out after about 10 minutes i tried to take the old battery out but i couldn't because i only had a small wrench. after trying for about 5 minutes i realized i needed a socket wrench or something better to get the battery out. but my tool bag was at home. so went and returned the battery and came out plugged the wires back and the car started with no battery light. (total unplug time maybe 30 minutes) i drove the car all the way home without any issues.

SAT
car started with battery light on again. flickering til i got on the expressway and battery light turned off. when i got out of work the light wasn't on the whole ride home. so i went to the parts store and had them check the battery and alternator, they said every was good. no issues with either one.

SUN
started car with battery light on again and the dash lights were dim. but the battery light turned off as soon as i started driving this time, the whole ride to work no battery light. when i got out of work started the car and the damn light was on. this time the light stayed on the whole ride home. the dash lights were dim.

MON
light on the whole ride to work. the wipers were slow and the dash lights were dim. same on the ride home.

TUES
i was off but i had to run errands. the battery light was on and the dash lights were dim, then after i ran inside for 5 minutes my girl said it died out. i had to jump start it. once i connected jumper cables i heard a lag on the car that helped, 10 seconds later it started right away. but 5 minutes after it died again at a stop light.

what could this be.. mind you, i already have electrical issues from the fuse panel under dash. on rainy days it leaks from the top of the windshield down the a pillar into the fusebox. (I THINK I HAVE A SHORT SOMEWHERE)

[ion] C2
01-22-2014, 03:01 PM
alternator

can take it off and get it checked if you want too, or have any auto parts store check it on the car

03Alerosil
01-22-2014, 08:29 PM
Yup alternator

Redog
01-22-2014, 08:43 PM
Stop blowing your alternator and this won't happen. You're lucky that you didn't get shocked, putting wet lips on an electrical part like that :lol:

MiLo
01-22-2014, 10:18 PM
Stop blowing your alternator and this won't happen. You're lucky that you didn't get shocked, putting wet lips on an electrical part like that :lol:

LMFAO... .. I didn't even think about setting myself up for that one... I was dying when I see this comment... Good one Redog!

Actually I just took it to get checked. Crankshaft positioning sensor is the culprit.

[ion] C2
01-22-2014, 10:26 PM
weird

zzyzzx
01-23-2014, 09:44 AM
How many miles are on this alternator? I am suspicious of the alternator brushes. Anyway read here:
http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35034
I keep one in my glove compartment.

This thread might also help:
http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32281

MiLo
01-23-2014, 08:47 PM
How many miles are on this alternator? I am suspicious of the alternator brushes. Anyway read here:
http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35034
I keep one in my glove compartment.

This thread might also help:
http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32281

Yeah this is very weird, and since I have had the car I've drove about 20k in almost 2 years, the car had 160k miles

MiLo
01-24-2014, 08:43 AM
03alerosil probably knows this answer, if I wanted to swap out the alternator for a better one from a different car with better amperage, which car would be the best for a easy swap? And how many amps would this alternator have?

I wanna go to the junkyard and pick up an alternator to do this swap. But I need to know which cars to look out for.

zzyzzx
01-24-2014, 09:15 AM
Yeah this is very weird, and since I have had the car I've drove about 20k in almost 2 years, the car had 160k miles

That's about how long alternator brushes last. I would try replacing the alternator brushes.

03glgold
01-24-2014, 11:34 AM
That's about how long alternator brushes last. I would try replacing the alternator brushes.

he already figured out that it was the crankshaft positioning sensor

MiLo
01-24-2014, 05:35 PM
I actually had a second opinion and they said that it was the alternator and the battery. But they were trying to rape me on labor. Total was going to be $473. I told them to "stick it in their poo shooter. I can do it myself for half that ". So when I explain it 3 different people said it was the crankshaft positioning sensor car and the one place I took it to says the alternator and battery.

falloutboy
02-14-2014, 07:15 AM
evidence why it should be the crankshaft sensor, and which one. IIRC we have two on the V6 cars.

For the Alternator part, did they tell u which part was broken on it? And yes, if they checked correctly they can tell u that.

If its the alternator u r quite lucky, mine quit with around 160t km and no warning.
I was just going for a few hour drive to a relative with the car packed for 3 persons and a week of stuff.
Just went down the next Bundesstraße to get to the Autobahn - baaam - idiot light came on and poof alternator dead.

Nas Escobar
02-14-2014, 06:35 PM
Falloutboy, he has the Ecotec. At least, that's what his sig says.