Very Weird Problems

[nice97civic]

this is from a buddy of mine so please excuse the harsh grammar. A friend of mine came over to test out the alternator. Well you know we weren't getting the right readings of course off the alt but I have a feeling its not the alt. maybe it is I don't know but anyway today when I went out there I started her up cause she had some juice left in her and took her around the block no problems boosted right up to 9lbs and what not well I get home sittin there and playin with the electrical stuff to see what the car did and winding the windows down of course seemed to have killed the car. Again the boost controller when the car finally is dying starts just counting to like -80 or some number. Also I noticed that my a/f gauge thats in there before would you know would sweep but now it just has one green line all the way at the end. Last but not least when the car has enough power for the blinkers the speedo seems to not work unless its over 3000RPMs but if you turn on the turn signal the speedo will move with it. any and all help would be appreciated. thanks.

 

[nice97civic]

Also I should add thats its a '97 TSi FWD w/ 6-bolt swap and the boost controller is Greddy Profec B Spec 2.

 

[Quasimondo]

With the engine running, do you get 13.1 - 13.4 volts at the battery? If you don't, then your alternator is on it's way out the door.

 

[Dexta]

hey I'm the one that he is talkin about, forgot I had an account on here. Its a brand new alternator I know that don't mean much but I think I was getting that reading. I mean its been 3 weeks now since i have touched it but yea I'll have to check into it again

 

[nice97civic]

brand new alternator, thats whats so baffling.

 

[travislaw]

brand new alternator, thats whats so baffling.

Where did you buy the alternator? Almost every post I have read stated that the rebuilt alternators from the local auto parts stores are hit and miss and most people end up replacing them 3 or more times before getting one that actually works. The recomendation is to only buy an alternator from the dealership.

 

[nice97civic]

okay thank you, i'll let him know. so far thats really the only thing we can think of that would be causing this so i'll find out where he got it. any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[Quasimondo]

Brand new alternators don't mean anything, especially if you picked it up from Autozone or Pep Boys. I've had one let go after three months. The only thing that's good about them is that they have a lifetime warranty so when (not if) they die, you can just take it back and get another one.

 

[Dexta]

Thanks guys, maybe thats what I'll do I'll take the alt out and go have it replaced. I have a question though. The shop that worked on my car I believe said something about engine not being grounded when I brought thim the car. So he put a ground wire from a bolt off of the vavle cover over to the frame. Now is this good bad or not really going to do anything at all. Just curious

 

[Dexta]

bump for a response about the wire from my valve cover to the frame. Thanks