dudeX
10+ Year Contributor
- 126
- 12
- Jun 14, 2011
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Surprise,
Arizona
This all started a couple of years back. First thing was the typical 3 lights that illuminate to tell you the alternator is dying. I had an oem alternator at the time and replaced it with an oreilys one, and yes I know those suck. Anyways it was like clockwork, in about a month or 2 the voltage would start to waver badly starting as a solid line on ecmlink and eventually looking like a saw blade bouncing between 13v and some times as high at 16v. I could hear my fuel pump wavering with the surges so I replaced it with a new walbro just in case it was the pump. I went thru 7 of these alternators and each died the same way. Due to the downpipe being nearby I assumed from what I saw and read that the regulators were getting murdered by the heat. I found an alternator reman shop here that my other DSM buddy used and his alt has been good for years. Car was at 13.8 to 14.1 immediately after the putting the alt in. After driving with it for a day my voltage is still stable but I'm getting 11.3v with the car on. About 12v with it off. I also replaced the 2 wires from the alt to the battery with thicker better wires as I thought I might've had a short somewhere. Car starts and drives fine and has no noticeable issues other than breaking up under throttle due to weak spark I assume. No idea where to go with this. I looked at the battery and it seems swollen and had a small amount of grey gritty looking gel around the covers that lead into the battery. I'm going to see if I can warranty it tomorrow and see if that helps. I've heard the ECU could be the issue but it was refreshed by ecmlink guys about 2 years ago as well, not to say it is good. I just don't know what to do and I can't drive my car like this. Anyone with experience dealing with something like this would be appreciated. The fuses were alll good as well, I checked the big 100a one and the similar ones and they are all good. Help!
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