bad alternator
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Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 128
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From: Corpus Christi Texas
Car: 1990 rs, pride and joy
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: t-5
bad alternator
i was just wondering what the sign's would be if i did have a bad one? I just installed my system and was just curious, and if i need a new one what would be a good brand?
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 171
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From: Seattle, WA
I've had alternator problems twice.
Here's what I encountered.
This was caused by a loose alternator belt on 74 chevelle.
I was driving on the highway at night in the winter and it was snowing. I had the stereo, wipers, headlights and heater on. The first thing I noticed was that the headlights seemed a little dim. Then on channel of the radio quit working so I figured I'd just blown a channel or speaker. I shut the radio off. A few miles later I pulled over to the side of the road to wipe snow or ice off the headlights because they were so dim. There was nothing on them and they seemed bright enuf. After driving some more my head lights were dim again. That's when I realized I had a charging problem. The alternator would work at an idle but not high way speed. It turned out that the belt was just loose.
Dead Alternator in 88 camaro.
I was out for a 3 hour cruise in rural TX. This was during a bright sunny day. My radio quit working so I thought I'd blown something. I turned off the radio and continued on. After about another 45 minutes of driving I pulled over to take a leak off in the woods. When I hit the brakes the car died. I coasted to a stop and then ran off in the woods to take a leak. When I got back the car wouldn't turn over. Turned out that the alternator had died and it wasn't charging any more. A car can run off the juice from the battery until the voltage gets too low. Then you are stuck. I had to get a charge from a tow truck, and then a charge at 2 or 3 gas stations to keep the car running. Eventually I got to a town large enuf to have a parts store open on Sunday. I chagned the alternator in the parking lot and went home.
Bet that's more answer than you wanted.
Its not clear what "system" is. I'm assuming it is a stereo system. If you put in too much system, then you may need to upgrade your alternator to one that cranks out more amps.
Too much info?
I'm bored at work.
Here's what I encountered.
This was caused by a loose alternator belt on 74 chevelle.
I was driving on the highway at night in the winter and it was snowing. I had the stereo, wipers, headlights and heater on. The first thing I noticed was that the headlights seemed a little dim. Then on channel of the radio quit working so I figured I'd just blown a channel or speaker. I shut the radio off. A few miles later I pulled over to the side of the road to wipe snow or ice off the headlights because they were so dim. There was nothing on them and they seemed bright enuf. After driving some more my head lights were dim again. That's when I realized I had a charging problem. The alternator would work at an idle but not high way speed. It turned out that the belt was just loose.
Dead Alternator in 88 camaro.
I was out for a 3 hour cruise in rural TX. This was during a bright sunny day. My radio quit working so I thought I'd blown something. I turned off the radio and continued on. After about another 45 minutes of driving I pulled over to take a leak off in the woods. When I hit the brakes the car died. I coasted to a stop and then ran off in the woods to take a leak. When I got back the car wouldn't turn over. Turned out that the alternator had died and it wasn't charging any more. A car can run off the juice from the battery until the voltage gets too low. Then you are stuck. I had to get a charge from a tow truck, and then a charge at 2 or 3 gas stations to keep the car running. Eventually I got to a town large enuf to have a parts store open on Sunday. I chagned the alternator in the parking lot and went home.
Bet that's more answer than you wanted.
Its not clear what "system" is. I'm assuming it is a stereo system. If you put in too much system, then you may need to upgrade your alternator to one that cranks out more amps.
Too much info?
I'm bored at work. 
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