alternator?

[mountaineerjeff]

well my ps pump just recently locked up. when it did it over heated the pulley and also snapped the alternator belt. my e-barake light, abs light, and battery light all came on. I replaced the alternator belt the next day. and every thing was fine for a few days. I then replaced my ps pump. after driving around town for a couple days, the same lights came on again. the belt is still intact. my temp gage never moved from the center, so I dont 'think' the water pump is bad. what are my options? I know I need to do some tests, but its cold and dark, so I just need some place to start, alt. just go bad? belt at the wrong tension? some cable connection? I know im a little vague, but I wont have a chance to look at it for til tomorrow night, so I figured I could get rid of some trial and error. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I figure it has to be something that could get worse over time, since it was fine for a few days. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
have yet to have the car in acceptable condition. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bawling.gif

 

[14u2nV]

Check your belt tension first, then check all the wires going to the alt. Maybe the snapped belt stripped a couple. Check your voltage at the bat running and not. Check for loose/broken/missing grounds.

 

[mountaineerjeff]

i dont know how the tension should be for sure, its taunt but not too tight

 

You can measure the deflection, I cant remember what it's supposed to be. I want to say like 3/4's of an inch.
I would have a parts retailer bring out their fancy machine to test if the alternator is putting out the right amount... That should tell you lots.

 

[mountaineerjeff]

read 12v on battery, and alternator. I guess the alternator is bad. it just went out I suppose.

 

Start the car. Measure voltage with a multimeter, turn on the lights and see if theres a draw on the battery. If so, the alternator is not doin its job.

 

[mountaineerjeff]

well I know the alternator isnt doing its job, the car battery goes dead, doesnt hold a charge, everything goes dim as the battery dies. I know it doesnt work, I just wasnt sure why. I thought that the 3 lights on the dash was a sort of code. I guess I will need to replace it now, what cars have alternators that will work on the gvr4. I know that the vr4 has a higher amp output, but I know others will mount, so I need to find the cheapest thing for right now.

 

Some Hyundai Sonata alternators apparently work, because that is what I got as a rebuild. But I cannot be more specific about which year/model.
Mike R.

 

[91GSR]

damn bro all kinds of bad stuff happenin to you. the galant alt is a 90 amp alternator, and from what ive read, most DSMs have a 75. im not sure where a cheap one could be had. if u have taken most of the power stuff out of ur cara 75 would most likely work since the 90 is only there to support the power windows/locks/sunroof/abs etc etc

 

[mountaineerjeff]

Quoting mj_rosenfeld:
Some Hyundai Sonata alternators apparently work



anyone know which ones?

yes its seems like I cant keep my car together for two days in a row. not only do I have all of my power options, but I also have a stereo system installed in the vr4. I know I would want the extra power, but I would settle for a downgrade to get me through the winter

 

Probably whichever years Hyundai used Mitsubishi 2 liter NA motors. Without more research, I would guess throughout the 1990's.
Mike R.

 

[vr4play]

Just go get one for a vr4. They are around $135.00 for a reman. OCA makes a pretty good one. That is what I have one my car. I got it from Smyth(Parts Plus). Don't know if you have one in your area but good luck.

 

[91GSR]

if u still ahve all ur power stuff then getting a reman is prolly ur best bet. or just rebuilding it urself, which requires quite a bit of electronics know-how and time im sure.

 

[Rausch]

Don't forget, these things tend to eat alternators. Aftermarket units seem to be a crap shoot, from a functionality/longevity standpoint.

 

[curtis]

I'm using a 2.5 subaru unit on mine. It's made by mitsubishi so not alot has to be changed except the mounts had to be shaved down and I used a different pulley but its all in the write up.

click me

 

[mountaineerjeff]

so any chance it could just be the fuse? that would be awesome, where is it? I imagine in the fuse box. anything special about getting it out, just checking in advance. maybe I could get lucky with replacing a fuse. if not I guess I have to find the moneys for a new one. but every day my car gets a mm closer to not having a clutch. (just one more problem I have to deal with, but I guess alt. has priority.)

 

[mountaineerjeff]

on the plug that hooks into the alt.
my plug has two wires into the alternator, and then there is a third wire that is just hanging there. this wire has no plug, and I dont know where it goes, I believe this caused a short, maybe damaging the alt, or causing a fuse to blow, I couldnt get the fuse out of the box, will have to get some BFPs (big fusking pliers). I tested the voltages and I am obviously not getting ANYthing from the alt. the alt. still spins, so mechanical, and visually it is still sound. maybe this new info will help diagnoses. I have to get this fixed

 

[curtis]

The fuse is held on with 10 mm bolts BFP's want work but a small wrench will. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[91GSR]

yeah i found that out the hard way. cuz i got some BFPs and started yanking...then broke the effing fuse >< had to get the bolt out to take out the fuse. and when i got my car it had a little wire hanging down, but it seemed to be a ground because there was a matching connector on a piece of metal. when i hooked it up my battery stopped dying lol

 

[joec]

Are you sure that's not the wire that goes to the power steering pump pressure switch? It has a small bullet connector on it?