OK, this isn't my car. It's my pappy's.

90 or 91 Caddy 4.5 liter. Alt went out on 4/6 and was replaced. Then again on 4/10 and then again on 5/6 and then today.

Battery is fine, no shorts reported.

Now a new mechanic for the last alt. All of them were Checker rebuilds.....


Mechanic checked the eletrical systems and all systems were a GO. That was right after the last alt was installed, this afternoon.

He drove the car to dinner, and came out and the battery would barely start the car. Not enough power to run the gauges or turn signals. Brought it back to the shop and it was only producing 10 amps!!

That's where it is now, at the mechanic's shop.

What would cause such a problem? Please help identify this aweful green gremlin!

OTOH, there were NO problems whatsoever until the original alt seized up on 4/2 and we put in the Checker.

 

I bought a lifetime one from nappa......4 alternators later I finally got a good one..it was in a datsun....just because they came from a parts store does not mean they are good...lesson learned.

 

Check the resistance of the charging wire. If it's really high, the alternator will burn itself out trying to keep the battery charged very quickly.

 

Get all the wires checked and replace any need that it, it's not unusual to get several bad alt. or starters from auto parts chain stores, I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. It's best to buy a new one from the dealer $$$$ or have the original rebuilt at a good alternator & starter shop or rebuild it yourself if you know how.