Okay... Here's the story.

My friend drives an 89 Ford Probe 2.2L.

Tonight she was driving out to my house, and noticed the voltage was dropping. It was a gradual and smooth drop, not instantly dead. She managed to pull it into a gas station before it cut off, and then she called me. When she told me what happened, and my first thought is that it was the alternator.

So, I give it a jump and it starts up like I figured it would, and the voltage slowly starts dropping like I thought it would... But then the engine struggled for a second, like the AC unit was switching on (but it wasn't), and the voltage jumped back up into the normal zone. It stayed there for a little while, so I thought it would be safe to drive it to my apartment (she was only about 3 miles away, if that.) I get it on the road, and the voltage drops very low again, so low I could barely see the headlights. I pull off into another gas station, and let it sit. After sitting for a while, the voltage jumped from redline to the normal range again, so I tried driving it again. The voltage dropped more quickly that time, but still it was a steady drop. I managed to get it to yet another gas station (there's quite a few on the way to my house hehe).. Well, after sitting again the voltage jumped back up into the normal range, and so I tried driving it again. I don't even get to the edge of the parking lot and the voltage drops very low and then cuts off. I tried to jump it again, but it just wouldn't take. I sat there with the cars connected for 5 minutes, but still.. nothing. (It would make that dead battery clicking sound though...)

Well, after that I just pushed it into a parking space and it's still sitting there.

So..

At first, I was thinking a dead alternator drained the battery.. but then, when the voltage jumped up like it did, I was thinking maybe just a lose connection on the alternator somewhere, but.. I don't know. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.



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89 iroc-z 305 tbi
k&n filtercharger, open element air filter. nuffin' else

 

Enkil,

I guess your girlfriend will just have to stay at your apartment for the night. Damn the bad luck!

Without more data, I can only guess, but I'd suspect that you are right. The alternator was probably failing, and most likely hte brushes are getting short, thus the gradual decrease in excitation current and voltage output. The battery probably finally had enough of the deep discharge and recharge, and finally had nothing left. The high current draw from reduced voltage might have stressed some connections as well, so you should check the cables at least. You might be able to save the battery if you fully charge it again, but make sure the battery is good (or at least well-charged) before you replace the alternator (prevents early alternator death).

On the "up" side, as long as your girlfriend keeps driving a Ford, she'll probably have to keep staying at your apartment...

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Later,
Vader
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"I'm gonna talk about some freaky sheet now..."
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0
KaleCo Auto Parts

 

well, i used to have a 90 GT turbo probe. It did the same thing as your friends car. It turned out to be a bad alternator. I was happy it fixed the problem, but my wallet wasnt very happy to see the bill. Id try the alternator though.

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1989 GTA, L98/auto, t-tops, Black w/ grey int.
Ran a 14.85 @ 93.4 mph BONE STOCK

 

Well.. she had it towed to a mechanic and it turned out just to be the battery.. but I'm a little suspicious of that. *shrug* I guess I'll see what happens.

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89 iroc-z 305 tbi
k&n filtercharger, open element air filter. nuffin' else

 

Last year I had a brand New MSD Billet Distributor, Blaster Coil, 8.5mm wires, Bosch 4+ plugs etc.... by my dealer. A week later, as I was the furthest from my house I had been for like the past month, I had an almost similar problem, not quite though. I was sitting at a light and stalled. I couldn't start it up again, but in a little bit, it started back up the volt gauge jumped around, dove steeply then jumped up, and soon then stalled. Turns out the Brand New Billet Distrib went bad.....I could have only wished it was the Alternator on my car...would have saved me hundreds of $$$$....I could have done it myself too.

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1992 25th Heritage Z28 Red/Black - L98 350
- Flowmaster 3" cat-back, Random Tech cats, SLP runners/headers etc, Bosch 36lb inj/4+ plugs, MSD 6A/billet dist/8.5 wires/Blaster coil, TPIS 52mm TB, Stewart polished pump, ported intake.
- Stereo: Panasonic/Audio Control/ADS/Alpine

Currently In the Works:
Hotchkis LCA/panhard rod, Baer 13"/12" upgrade, SLP 17" chrome SS rims w/GY F1's, 4th Gen 3:73 HD Zexel/Torsen, Moser Rear End, Spohn Torque Arm/LCA RLC brackets, all MOOG front pieces, Hellwig solid fr/r bars. etc.........
'99 Corvette front seats, Autometer Gauge pod....