eletrical issues (help a girl out!)

[madgrrl]

1990 AWD eclipse is having troubles.

the alternator and battery died on the road last week so I replaced them. I got the autozone/kragen variety(with lifetime warranty) . Today I was driving and I noticed that the engine power was fluctuating (like when you let off the clutch too fast and it gets jerky). I thought it was because I was driving wrong(heheh, never admit driver error!). but then tonight when I started the car and turned on the lights I saw they were dimming brighter and then dimmer and the engines power was chugging when the lights dimmed(the did not at idle, but at anything above idle). I took the car to kragen and the battery tested out fine and so was the charge from the alternator. . .HOWEVER, the whole system was fluctuating by about a volt at approx 120 bpm.

It could possibly be the wiring. if so, where? is it common on g1s? Is there a fix? could it possiby be a fuel supply issue? I did notice the fuel light blink on once before I dumped gas into my the car to see if that was the problem(didn't fix it).

I looked at vfaq and the search feature and I haven't found anything that sounded quite like it so if you know of a post, please reply.


BTW! this is my first DSM (as of last week)!! woohoo! besides it being a lil' bi***, it is going to be one hot ride. that is if I can get past this one prob and FINALLY put on the parts. . .pfftt!

also, the topic title is to get attention so people will post. . .so u may laugh now

 

[dthquazi1]

sounds like the voltage resistor in the alternator.

 

[madgrrl]

sounds like the voltage resistor in the alternator.

so, do I need to replace the entire alternator?

 

[awd4g63]

so, do I need to replace the entire alternator?

From what I understand, yes. However, it's warrantied, so you should be able to take it back and get a replacement with no hassle or money.

Also, you may want to check your 80amp fuse in the main fuse box by your battery.

 

[JASON ROSARIO]

Yeah just replace the alternator. They will probably bench test it. Then they will see exactly what it is. I worked at autozone for almost two years and all the import alternators are all rebuilt. So sometimes it takes 1 or 2 b4 you get a really good one. But since its warrantied cost isn't a problem. Just have fun ripping it out.

 

[madgrrl]

ugh. well, by the time the alternator works I'll be really fast at pulling it in and out.

thanks for your help. now, to pull the alternater out. again.

 

[dthquazi1]

ugh. well, by the time the alternator works I'll be really fast at pulling it in and out.

I am now. I can literally do it in the dark now after four times in two days.

 

[JASON ROSARIO]

same here. they are now a 10-20 minute affair tops. I even did one for a customer one time in the parking lot at night cause i felt bad. It is stupid crap like this that makes me love dsms.

 

[madgrrl]

do you think autozone will take my crappy alternator back? because my car still runs. . .and it is only fluctuating by about a volt to a volt and a half. . .

their alternater testing machines I don't trust.

 

[JASON ROSARIO]

The machines they use are pretty accurate when used by a competent person. As far as taking the alternator back they can only do it under warranty. So all you can get is another alternator. But if you have continual problems and the alternator is at fault as long as your nice they'll refund you the money.

 

[dsm023]

My brother went through 3 of them in 1 month. Get a refund and get a rebuilt from the dealer. Not lifetime warranty but 1 year / 12,000 mile...

 

[FASTSPOOLINGST]

I went through three alternators from auto zone in a month too. They suck for some reason.

And about "it is fast" Try doing it with a AGP turbo kit, it sucks, you have to removed the wastegate with the dump tube on it, then unscrew the O2 sensor then you can take off the alternator. It's still easy, but sucks none the less.

Anyways, after the 3 alternators, I found out my problem wasn't a alternator, so actually they are idiots at auto zone.

I used jumper cables and ran the positive side from the alternator to the battery positive to see if it was getting a charge, it wasn't before because on my logger i was only reading 11 vdc. I hooked up the cable and it jumped up really quick, so i just ran 2 new 8 gauge wires for a temp fix. I found the problem soon after was the fuse by the battery box that the guy mentioned in one of the previous threads.

So i recommend this.
Make sure the alternator is good. Get another one and before you leave the store make them test the one you are going to be installing.

Then after that, check your fuse by the fuse box.

Then to check the wiring, you can try to jumper cable "pat special" trouble shooting technique.

Hope you get it fixed.

 

[realhp=turbo]

There are three relays/fuses directly connected to your positive terminal on the battery. check the continuity in those.

 

[madgrrl]

yay, thanks for the help.

I opted out of trying to test the cables and just remove the alternator in the parking lot of autozone so I could test it and replace it fast (heh heh, being that I had a date). It turned out to be a faulty voltage regulator in the alternator, NOT ONLY THAT, but, the first time they had given me the wrong part: a non-turbo alternator (putting out 65 amps instead of 75). hrmmmmmm. autozone gets the thumbs down, but at least they don't care when I jack the car up in their parking lot. :laugh:

now to install the shift stiffeners and new oil. That's one more temporarly satisfied dsmer. . .

 

[dthquazi1]

jack the car up? There is no need for that.

 

[tsigrl2016G]

yeah, no need to jack the car up for an alt., i think she was talking about another fix. I went through more alt.'s than i can count from autozone, getting the wrong alt. though, that'll do it to ya. They did let my car sit there for a while before and let me jack it and fix it there...i busted a coolant line that runs right beside the oil dipstick and the alt.

 

[DROOPY209]

Thatz kool........about auto zone alternators........i went through 6 auto zone alternators before i got 1 good one.........i dont trust their machines either......they would bench test it and it would come out fine..........i would put in on my car and it was running of my battery.......as of how fast i can replace an alternator now..........im down to about 6 minutes tops!!!!