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Topic: Bad Alternator??

in Forum: C3 Electrical

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Bad Alternator?? (1/7)
10/25/14 9:00pm

rep69
Limited Member
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Suffolk, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible 427 4speed

Joined: 7/24/2012
Posts: 134

My 1969 427 with a/c is going through alternators. I have had 3 alternators in the past year go bad. Two were from advance auto and the third is from AutoZone. Replaced the battery about 4 months ago. Today after getting some gas, the car was very hard to start back up. I drove to autozone and the guy tested the battery and said it was fully charged. His machine said the voltage regulator was bad. The current alternator is only a month old!! Could I be getting bad alternators or do I have something else going on that could be causing the problem. Any suggestions Thanks, Bob

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Re: Bad Alternator?? (2/7)
10/25/14 11:36pm

Sarge81

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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

I'm not a big fan of any electrical or electronic items from AutoZone or Advanced Auto. I'd go with stuff from NAPA. You pay a little more but get a better quality product IMO.

I pretty much gave up on buying rebuilt/reman alternators unless I'm in a pinch. Instead I buy the necessary parts to rebuild them myself. That way I know it's done right. Alternators are not all that difficult to rebuild. There's enough tutorial information out there to walk you through the process of testing the internal components, to the overhauling procedure.

______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

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Re: Bad Alternator?? (3/7)
10/26/14 9:33am

rep69
Limited Member
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Suffolk, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible 427 4speed

Joined: 7/24/2012
Posts: 134

Thanks for the info. My old mechanic is the one that used two from advanced auto. I am no longer using him for work on the car. I put the one on from AutoZone . I will talk with my new mechanic and get his thoughts on how to fix the problem.

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Re: Bad Alternator?? (4/7)
10/27/14 8:14am

manchestershark

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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2388

I agree with Sarge, Most re-man stuff is junque! Go with NEW, or as Sarge said, if original, do it yourself. Re-man ANYTHING is not worth the time or money.

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Re: Bad Alternator?? (5/7)
10/27/14 1:06pm

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20129

I have also not had very good "luck" with reman alternators, or starters, and will normally rebuild them meself, if possible. I once put 5...FIVE reman alternators on my old LTD, on the same day, before I got one that would actually put out any usable voltage.... Angry

Are yours just not putting out, or is there another issue with them? Does your '69 have the external regulator, or is it internal to the alt?
Not really a lot that can damage an alternator in normal usage, other than age, under rated for the vehicle.....or faulty parts. Make sure it is rated properly for the car....need at least a 68 amp with A/C. Thumbs Up

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Joel Adams
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Re: Bad Alternator?? (6/7)
11/1/14 3:47pm

spinalman
Standard Member
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Lancaster, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 Green Convertible

Joined: 8/24/2008
Posts: 21

Hi,

You should have your starter motor checked. I replaced battery and alternator in my '72 Cutlass only to find out my problem was caused by the starter.

Jan

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Re: Bad Alternator?? (7/7)
11/1/14 4:04pm

rep69
Limited Member
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Suffolk, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible 427 4speed

Joined: 7/24/2012
Posts: 134

Thanks, a new starter was installed on the car, but it could be bad as well?? I will check it out.

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