weird issue

[Hitmachine101]

ok i searched and not a ton of info on this one so i figured id ask

My altenator is 2 years old TOPS, probably more like a year and a half so maybe its the altenator but i hope not

at idol the car is fine, no lights no nothing, once i start driving or even blip the throttle the battery light comes on and the brake light comes on and stays on till i return to idol again, then both go off again

its my winter car and last season when the car would start i would have to rev the car to 4k to get the battery and brake light to go away

Im doing some maintenence on it and this problem started,

in my past experiences with failing altenators, the light usually stays on at all rpms and what not,

oh and btw the car is still recharging the battery, so its not obvious to me what the issue is

thanks for the input ahead of time

 

[97gst_spyder]

Check the belt and make sure its tight. If it is, check the alt fuse in the engine bay fuse box. If thats good check the positive cable on the alt (MAKE SURE THE BATTERY IS UNPLUGGED!!!!). If thats good check the wires (2 white 8 gauge wires) from the alt to the battery. If that seems fine I've seen the bolt on the alt pulley loosen, tighten it with thread lock if so.

You need to make sure everything is rust/corrosion free.

If all that checks out, then have someone check the alt output at the autoparts store.

 

[Hitmachine101]

Check the belt and make sure its tight. If it is, check the alt fuse in the engine bay fuse box. If thats good check the positive cable on the alt (MAKE SURE THE BATTERY IS UNPLUGGED!!!!). If thats good check the wires (2 white 8 gauge wires) from the alt to the battery. If that seems fine I've seen the bolt on the alt pulley loosen, tighten it with thread lock if so.

You need to make sure everything is rust/corrosion free.

If all that checks out, then have someone check the alt output at the autoparts store.

good check list, ill go over it tomorrow when i take a look at her again, thanks

 

[Deadpool]

After checking all that if it is the alt then start looking at what is killing it so fast. I happened to notice that on some cars (like my 2g) the power steering pump lives right above the alt and if the PS pump develops a leak it will oil down the alt. From my experience with every other alt, I know that drowning them in oil will kill them pretty fast. But if this is not the case with DSM's I could be wrong here but I doubt it.

 

[Boostinsideways]

Are you running and OEM alternator? I've had issues with them only partial charging @ low revs when they were on the way out.

 

[Hitmachine101]

After checking all that if it is the alt then start looking at what is killing it so fast. I happened to notice that on some cars (like my 2g) the power steering pump lives right above the alt and if the PS pump develops a leak it will oil down the alt. From my experience with every other alt, I know that drowning them in oil will kill them pretty fast. But if this is not the case with DSM's I could be wrong here but I doubt it.

ya i ve heard horr stories about PS leaks killing alternators for our cars but I can say im glad i dont have a leak at all, well for now because im sure thats gonna start leaking now ( knock on wood ) that was one of the first things i looked at to make sure it wasnt soaked in oil

Are you running and OEM alternator? I've had issues with them only partial charging @ low revs when they were on the way out.

I was afraid someone was gonna say that, ya i think im running on borrowed time unfortunately, whats a good solid alternator to buy for this car?

I have a 5 speed, i heard getting an automatic alternator is a good trick because the amps are higher

 

[97gst_spyder]

Saturn is the 'best'. In the amp and price department. 105amp and $100 w/lifetime warranty.