2G Alternator problems, or electrical

[horizontalkev]

Symptoms: (worst when warm)
Idle when warm: 11-12v, driving: 12.5-13.5
Idle when cold: low 13v, driving: high 13v
Lights dim at idle
when using blinkers, lights ect volts drop considerably especially at idle
Second battery I've gone through in 6 months
Radio will randomly cut out and my gauges will go nuts (when volts randomly drop to 10 w/ lights on & rpms are low)

When testing alternator with it in the car it fails terribly, but what's confusing is with the alternator off the car and it its tested, it passes no problems... Could that be because the alternator isn't hot, and it only fails when its heated up?
Or do I have an electrical problem?

And the battery isn't ever just dead randomly, I can tell right before it fails and its when im driving it starts acting up and then dies at a stop and will be completely dead

 

[miguelmcv]

That's an alternator malfunction, they can get test it 100% good without load but when load they are trash, and worst when hot.

 

[horizontalkev]

So nothing electrical can cause the problems Im having other than my alternator?

 

[slayer450]

where did you go to test the alt? Autozone? Go to an actual alt/starter rebuilder. They can test it and know how to test it.

 

[PMWeather]

Well I think I can help here. I've worked for Az for 6 years and for some reason our alternators for 2gs aren't the best. Best friends spyder ate 4 and his woman's gsx ate 3. My 2gb talon has eaten one. They WILL test good on the duratester. Never had any issues on my 1g with ours, but for some reason the 2g platform isn't correct. Find yourself a used oem and you'll be good for a while. Your symptoms indicate alternator issues 100%

 

[miguelmcv]

Find yourself a used oem and you'll be good for a while. Your symptoms indicate alternator issues 100%

2^^^^^ Nice advice here.
OP if you are stock I would take this guy advice.

My stock alternator broke (internal) when I removed the positive cable, I replace it with a used OEM (yankyard ) alternator and it still performing like a champ.

 

[911gdsmboostin]

any re-manufactured alternator or starter are total junk especially when bought form advanced/auto zone ( no offence ) they just have no quality and are usually cheap Chinese replacement parts that don't last or don't work at all had a lot of issues with remand starters and alts. so we stopped putting them on the cars always come back with issues.. all makes and models and we had them bench tested too and just decided to get new.. I work in a mechanic shop and replaced many just my opinion.. good luck.

 

[horizontalkev]

I have a new alternator on its way thanks guys.. Do I need to ground my alternator directly to say, the strut tower or is it adequately grounded through the bracket/engine? Previous owner grounded the alternator with a wire

 

[911gdsmboostin]

Usually the mount ground is sufficient enough most all stock applications just use the mount to engine as a ground but if their is a ground wire their for it it couldn't hurt anything to use it again but it shouldn't be needed.