Topic: Alternator whoas...
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Lifetime MemberGrand Blanc, MI - USA
Joined: 8/7/2002
Posts: 544
Vette(s): 1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.
Just wanted to drop a short note to Ken Styer for his help through instant messages regarding my alternator problems.
I knew I had problems when I put her up for the winter and have only now decided to take time from the honeydo list to try and tackle the alternator.
Long story short...I took the alternator off and up to the local alternator shop for them to test it and replace whatever is broke. At the same time I IM'd Ken with my problem. The alternator shop put it on whatever magical machine they have in the back, ramped it up, walked back and told me "the bearings are a little worn, but other than that she's fine". So I had them replace the bearings and the brushes - $20.00 and same day service.
Then I got an IM back from Ken. Even though the alternator shows it will charge and operates at the right amperage, Ken said I needed to perform an easy test once I reinstalled it. I reinstalled it, she started on the first crank (SWEET SOUND), and the blasted charge light canme on on the console again!
So Ken says the double wire plug coming off the side of the alternator should be jumped out. If the light goes off the real problem is more than likely the Diode trio inside the alternator! Used a paperclip wrapped in electrical tape, had the wife sit in the car with it running and watch to see if the light went off when I got the proper jump between the wires. While I couldn't get a continuous jump across the wires, my wife did say it flickered off and on at the same time that I was getting small sparks from the jumper.
The alternator is coming off again Sunday, and this time I know exactly what to tell them to replace! Live and learn I guess.
I know one thing from this though, the next time I decide to pull something off I'm taking the time to fight the kids to get on the computer and ask the advice from the people on this forum first!
Can't wait to pull her out of the garage next week. She's dusty (she competes with my woodwork shop in the garage during the winter) even with the cover on, but it's going to be soooooo niiicce to take her out for that first spin and shake the dust off!
I knew I had problems when I put her up for the winter and have only now decided to take time from the honeydo list to try and tackle the alternator.
Long story short...I took the alternator off and up to the local alternator shop for them to test it and replace whatever is broke. At the same time I IM'd Ken with my problem. The alternator shop put it on whatever magical machine they have in the back, ramped it up, walked back and told me "the bearings are a little worn, but other than that she's fine". So I had them replace the bearings and the brushes - $20.00 and same day service.
Then I got an IM back from Ken. Even though the alternator shows it will charge and operates at the right amperage, Ken said I needed to perform an easy test once I reinstalled it. I reinstalled it, she started on the first crank (SWEET SOUND), and the blasted charge light canme on on the console again!
So Ken says the double wire plug coming off the side of the alternator should be jumped out. If the light goes off the real problem is more than likely the Diode trio inside the alternator! Used a paperclip wrapped in electrical tape, had the wife sit in the car with it running and watch to see if the light went off when I got the proper jump between the wires. While I couldn't get a continuous jump across the wires, my wife did say it flickered off and on at the same time that I was getting small sparks from the jumper.
The alternator is coming off again Sunday, and this time I know exactly what to tell them to replace! Live and learn I guess.
I know one thing from this though, the next time I decide to pull something off I'm taking the time to fight the kids to get on the computer and ask the advice from the people on this forum first!
Can't wait to pull her out of the garage next week. She's dusty (she competes with my woodwork shop in the garage during the winter) even with the cover on, but it's going to be soooooo niiicce to take her out for that first spin and shake the dust off!
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in Forum: C3 Electrical
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