[RESOLVED] Re-posted Alternator: For more input from you guys.

[meliketoball]

Hey guys, recently I fixed my water leak and I guess after every other problem I fix, another one comes along.

Anyway, I have a 2gb GST with 192,xxx miles on the original motor. My problem is that my battery died. As I was driving the gauges were going psycho and there was a major loss of power. This morning I went to start my car and didn't have power at all. I thought this was strange because I bought a brand new 100 dollar fresh battery. So, I took it out and popped in my old one. It started and drove.

I drove it to school and back fine then I left it sitting for maybe 3-4 hours. I go back in for a cruise in downtown and as I turn the car on, I notice the gauge cluster lights and my gauge lights are dimmer then usual. I take it my eyes acting up and drive off.

When I exited the freeway and stopped at a stoplight, the tachometer and speedometer just dropped to ZERO! The car was still on and so I gave it a few revs and back it was again.

I drive off and was wondering why it did that. I put in my old battery, which was still good by the way, and left me wondering.

I turn off the car and try to start it again; no luck. The starter just clicked.

Before, I fixed my water leak, I cleaned the engine bay with brake cleaner and sprayed everywhere. Of course, I covered all the electric related parts but not the ALTERNATOR!

I sprayed the alternator..and after when I start my car, I get a little odd rumble/vibration between 750-900 RPM thinking it being my exhaust manifold because I replaced the gasket.



So, I sprayed brake cleaner on the alternator.. Did that kill my alternator? It is the original 192,xxx from day one. As I struggled to drive home, the car was attemping to commit suicide by just shutting down but, I kept it alive by revving it over and over again and as I drove off from a stop, the car would totally lose power.

I am guessing that the alternator just died from the brake cleaner and that is what killed my battery (headlights and foglights in the day, radio playing and just driving the car.) And that when I tried to drive off the motor was running with it dead and trying to work against the alternator belt and leaving me with a pretty bad idle when start. (200-500 RPM)

Does that seem to be an alternator failure? Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks for reading my long post.

 

[jwt-1gnt]

Hey man, my alternator just died yesterday. My bro has a battery charger that checks if the alternator is working.

If you want to use it to check your alt. let me know. FYI, a place in Fremont had a brand new (not refurbished) alternator in stock for $136 (I think it should be the same even though I have a 1g),

John

 

[gstowner]

Yeah that definetly sounds like your alternator. I had the same exact thing happen to me. Got a little water in it and killed it. Pull it, take it and test it. Post back with results

 

[outkastracing]

sounds like a alternator but could also be a bad ground id check your grounds first and make sure you cables are tight

 

[meliketoball]

Thanks guys for the input. I will definitely pull the alternator and get it tested.

Hey man, my alternator just died yesterday. My bro has a battery charger that checks if the alternator is working.

If you want to use it to check your alt. let me know. FYI, a place in Fremont had a brand new (not refurbished) alternator in stock for $136 (I think it should be the same even though I have a 1g),

John

I go to this place in Campbell that rebuilds/refurbishes starters and alternators. My starter was only like 80 bucks plus core and the alternators are rebuilt Mitsubishi ones for 109 with core.

I forgot to ask the 2g guys; is your alternator 100 amp fuse hard to pull out? Mine is and I don't wanna pull it with pliers ending up breaking it.

 

[93_tsi_fwd]

You dont pull it, theres 2 10mm bolts holding it down on each side.

 

[meliketoball]

You dont pull it, theres 2 10mm bolts holding it down on each side.

HOW DO YOU KNOW? YOU HAVE A 1G! really? There's two bolts holding the 100 amp alternator fuse in the engine bay? I don't believe you Nico.

 

[93_tsi_fwd]

We also have my dads 2g awd tsi!!!

 

[meliketoball]

hahaha. Anyway guys, update on my problem: I pulled my alternator last night in the rain and this morning I took it to auto zone where they checked my alternator for me, the alternator made a screech as if a motor has starved for oil. Ha, oh by the way it FAILED! So yeah, I am gonna go get a new one today and will let you guys know!

Hey guys, well I put a new alternator in and my car runs! It has power to everything and isn't dim anymore. The idle seems to be alright and the weird vibration or rumble is long gone. Hopefully someone will look at this post for future reference!