2G car problem! alternator?

[firemist]

I have a 1996 tsi and i my car broke down last week i believe that its the alternator but not sure. my battery died out 4 days ago before it died out and replaced it with a new one. Then on the highway my car stopped and my brake,battery,and engine light turned on. Does any one know what it is? or what i could try and find the problem?
Is there any difference between a turbo alternator and a non turbo alternator? cause im was planning on getting on off ebay for cheap cause I'm pretty much broke

 

[i_nick_2005_i]

99% of the time what you describe is the alternator. It would help if you had a voltage tester to check your electrical system with. Check all your wiring/terminals/grounds as well as your alternator fuse (which I didn't know about until recently). Our alternators are prone to being crap quality.

Edit: When you say it just "stopped" on the highway, was it at night-time? Were there any warnings that the battery current was dying?......It sounds like maybe you may have a major short or ground issue....probably the alternator though. Charge your battery back up and get a voltage checker, and see if your car will start......and then get a voltage reading if you can.

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

You should first test to see if the alternator is putting out any voltage. If not then it is 99.9% of the time the alternator. I would recommend your local parts store. Ebay is too hit and miss and warranty's can be difficult.

 

[firemist]

99% of the time what you describe is the alternator. It would help if you had a voltage tester to check your electrical system with. Check all your wiring/terminals/grounds as well as your alternator fuse (which I didn't know about until recently). Our alternators are prone to being crap quality.

Edit: When you say it just "stopped" on the highway, was it at night-time? Were there any warnings that the battery current was dying?......It sounds like maybe you may have a major short or ground issue....probably the alternator though. Charge your battery back up and get a voltage checker, and see if your car will start......and then get a voltage reading if you can.

How do i check the wiring? and no it didn't give me a warning the 3 lights just turned on and stopped

You should first test to see if the alternator is putting out any voltage. If not then it is 99.9% of the time the alternator. I would recommend your local parts store. Ebay is too hit and miss and warranty's can be difficult.

well im really in a financial crises right now so ebay is the alternative right now for me
and is there a difference between a turbo alternator and a non-turbo alternator?

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Yes there is.

 

[i_nick_2005_i]

How do i check the wiring?

Just do a good "visual" check of all the wiring leading from the battery/alternator...Check your ground post where it connects to chassis...Things of that nature...

AutoZone carries alternators for $170 after core. I'm not sure (I'm too lazy) on the Ebay prices, but more-than-likely the alternator will fail soon anyways and you will be kicking yourself for not getting a lifetime warrantied one from your local parts place. I realize money is an issue, but I'd save $ a week longer and go the above route.....It'll take awhile to get one in mail anyways, plus you'll have to pay shipping. My 2 cents.

 

[southrneclipser]

make sure it is your alternator in the first place before spending any money. Take out your battery and take it to a parts store and ask them to charge it. (free) They will charge it and determine if you need a new one. If thats not the problem take off your alternator and get them to test it too. (also free) And do not forget to check all of your fuses and especially the alternator fuse. If you have to buy a new alternator, buy one from a parts store. The remans are around the 150-170 dollar range and have a lifetime warranty. Remanufactured alternators are usually a hit and miss deal. I got one that lasted 3 days and it burned up but thats where the lifetime warranty comes in. Do not buy an alternator for a non turbo engine either, it will not work on a turbo engine.

 

[firemist]

I have another problem my clutch isn't really smooth, like it get stuck in the middle then pops back out and some time it just doesn't pop out is there a way for me to fix this?

 

[firemist]

how do i change an alternator? please list the steps
my car's been dead for a month now because of the dead alternator my friend just got me a new one and plan to do it myself. I saw the youtube videos on how to remove an alternator but i just want to insure that I am doing the process right so it wont break down on me again.

 

[joyfil2001]

It's pretty simple. You need to remove the driverside splash guard in the wheel well. Disconnect the electrical connections on the alternator. Loosen the tension and lock bolts on the alternator. Then loosen the pivot bolt at the bottom of the alternator. Push up on the alternator until you can remove the belt. Then pull the pivot bolt out through the driver side wheel well. Alternator may take some convincing but it should drop right out. Reverse process and you are all set.

 

[sketzshane]

WikiAnswers - How do you replace the alternator on a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse

 

[DSM_PWR]

Attached a pic

Make sure you disconnect the negative terminal from the battery and make sure you unplug all the wires to the alternator

1st, You wanna loosen the 12mm tensioner circled in red, this will allow you to move the alternator up/down so that you can slip off the belt..

2nd, There is a bolt/nut which is circled in blue, under the car is best way to reach it.

After that your good to go.

 

[4g63monstr]

I dont want to sound like an Ahole but if you didnt already know how to replace your alternator, you are going to hate owning a DSM...

 

[LandoAWD]

Guess what you sounded like? Seriously; guess...

 

[joyfil2001]

I knew and I still hate DSM's!

 

[Oldsid]

I do not know if the 2G alternator mounting is similar to the 1G but if it is, it really helps to remove the radiator fan. With the fan out of the way, it is a lot easier to access the alternator.