New alternator worse than the old...?

[TantrumSKID]

My old alternator's voltage regulator was crapping out. I would be able to hold 13.8-14.0v randomly, but a lot of times when accessories, lights, music, etc. were turned on while driving, the voltage (via my TT readout) would drop to low 12s. Most of the time the regulator would catch it and bring me back up to 13s, but lately it has been taking longer and sometimes it would just not jump back and stay in the 12s.

Anyhow, today I decided to completely swap out the alternator before the full on winter weather hit and I was stuck under the car in negative degree weather (haven't we all been there...). I picked up a refurb from Autozone, one of the Duralast 90amps, and put it in. This was my very FIRST alternator job, and I did it solo with just some info I found searching the forums and my 2 shop manuals, so maybe I missed something. I'm pretty sure I did everything right (I do however have 2 washers left over that I'm not sure where they belong). Now when I start the car my voltage does not go past 11.8v

Moreover, for some odd reason or other, my rear defroster (all other electrical accessories still function) has decided it no longer wants to work. I only found this out because I decided to put a load on this 'new' alternator and see if it could handle it. Did I do something wrong? Fuses all seem to check out, yet the rear def is not working. And even more important, why can't I get more than 11 or so volts? Please help, if I can possibly avoid taking it out and going back to the store for an unnecessary exchange that would be greatly appreciated. Any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.

-Mike

 

[awdtalontsi1992]

Congrads on being a DIYer and not a lazy mechanic poser. Generic part store alternators are know for being pos. I would check all your connections and make sure they are all clean especially the battery cables and wires. Also check your belt tension and make sure it is not slipping. Next I would get your battery checked to make sure it is ok. Lastly take that pos alternator back and see if the second one is any better. Your defroster and other accessories could be not working because of the low voltage and current the alternator is putting out. Good luck.

 

[unboosted]

If you are only running 11 volts right now then that altenator probaly isnt working at all or like awdtalontis1992 said the belt might be slipping

 

[TantrumSKID]

Turns out it was either a loose connection on the alternator terminals, or a loose connection on the fuse (mine has a stock 100amp?). I was waiting for a friend to come by and asked him to pick up the 100amp at Autozone for me. He lives a little while away so while I was waiting for him to get here, I decided it wouldn't hurt to loosen and retighten everything down all over again. I left the bolts holding the fuse out thinking I would wait, put the new fuse in, and see if it changed anything. Long story short, he bought the wrong fuse, and since I wanted to show him my car's weird reaction to the new alternator, I bolted the old fuse down and started it up. Sure enough... TT read 14 +/- volts. I was dumbfounded, . Rear defroster is somehow working again too. Been driving the car off and on all day, so far everything is kosher. Thanks a lot for all the input fellas, much apprciated.

-Mike

PS. I also did retension the belt too (though there was no squeal to begin with even last night), so maybe you were right man!