jkimbell

I was driving down the raod about two weeks ago and my radio went off, traction control light came on, and then seconds later the car started spittig and sputttering until it cut off. Checked out the battery, replaced it and everything was good. Tonight I was driving through town and the radio cut off and then the same sequence until it shut off. I got someine to bring me fresh battery and we installed it so I could get home. Has anyone ever had this problem, or knows what it might be? It seems that it could be the alternator only putting out a charge just shy of what it need to be. Could all of this occurfrom a short in my wiring somewhere? Any suggestions as of where to start? Thanks,

ponysnake99

very similar to a problem i had. car cranks in the morning and rides fine, but towards catastrophe, lights dim, car starts to spudder as you drop rpms to stay alive until she quits...and the battery is practically shot afterwards? if so, its an electrical grimlin and could be the altenator, voltmeter (which requires you to buy the entire altenator), or wires running to/from the altenator. In my case,i had originally thought it was the altenator on my carbut found out it was an initial power wire that runs to the altenator that had been damaged.heres what i would recommend (in no particular order): check the cars charging system at a local parts store, check for a 12v lead to the altenator (either by voltmeter or turning the car to the "on" position and feelingfor magnetism around the altenator with a screw driver), and lastly making sure the connections throughout the charging system are secure (ie. alt connector, alt wire, battery terminals are clean and secure, battery grounds tight, fusible links in good condition and no chaffing).
I ended up replacing the wire that ran from behind my dash to the altenator...after many headaches. good luck

jkimbell

Thanks man, At least now I have somewhere to start

97targa

ususally this is the voltage regulator crapping out with spikes. Sometimes it works and then it starts to overheat and then it doesn't create any power. This calls for a new alt since we have internal regulated alternators, but I would check all of your wires just to make sure none are corroded

jkimbell

Ended up being that the diodes on the alternator were burnt up. It was hard but I took off the alternator and took it to the local alternator repair shop. I think it was around 60 bucks but he was able to repair within about two hours. back on the road

bigmoose15

for future reference, the best way to check the alt is simple. just put a meter acorss the battery terminals when its running. if you are reading <12 volts, the alt is fried. when running you should be reading around 13-14 volts.