alternator not charging

[boosthappy]

For about three days now the alternator is not charging and the voltage of the battery is just dropping when I drive it. I'm watching the voltage on my hks turbo timer.

The problem started when I start the car it will not charge but after I drive it for 15-20 min, it arbitrarily starts to charge and it's fine. It did that for a week and now it never charges anymore.

Can it be a circuit in the alternator controlling the voltage level or something similar and can I rebuild the alternator. The main alternator fuse is fine( the 80 amp one).
Thanks.

 

[MrDee]

I doubt a 1997 car could have worn atlternator brushes..but what do you got to loose..take off the alternator and check and see if the brushes are ok.

 

[flytalon93]

I think if you take the car to like western auto they will check the alternator free of charge. You may also want to check the connections closest to the O2 housing, make sure they didn't get bumped or burnt. From the way you explained it, its either intermediate (meaning a connection is loose) or could be a bad alternator.

 

[realhp=turbo]

Power steering leak? Yes your alt is dead. There is no saving it now just go buy a new one. Got a big stereo? BUCK found a Mitsubishi alt that puts out like 100 amps or more. PM him and find out. Im pretty sure that it is not an Eclipse alt but a Mits alt all the same. as for re-building your old one, not worth it IMHO.
mike

 

[boosthappy]

I doubt a 1997 car could have worn atlternator brushes..but what do you got to loose..take off the alternator and check and see if the brushes are ok.

My car is a '92.
Last year car stopped charging again and I was pretty sure it was the alternator, went to the store got a new one, installed it and there was no difference. With the new alternator came a little booklet which said to check main fuse and guess what $2.50 later it was working like champ, so I took the new alternator off and put the old back in.
Lesson learned this time decided to ask first before changing alternators for fun...