Alternator Gone?

[john]

I was driving around last night when the dash lights started to look dim. I turned off the power to my gauges and radio and started to make my way home. When I put on my turn signal the turbo timer would cut in and out (loose power). I checked my turbo timer for voltage and it said ~9 volts when it is normally ~13. I assume it is the alternator. Just posting this to confirm it. The wierd thing is that I filled my tank friday night and dash lights started appearing. The next morning I started my car and the battery light and the light (I forgot what it is called) that is orange and looks like a memorial came on until I started moving. The last time that light came on was when I hacked the MAS too much on my stock car. So, I am guessing I also got a bad batch of gas also???

[JET]

Yep, probably the alternator. It could possibly be a bad battery or even the connection to the battery. Make sure the alt. belt isn't slipping too.

[john]

Once the car is started, isn't the battery out of the question? Isn't the alternator running the car regardless if the battery is opperating or not? I will check the belt for deflection but I am pretty sure it isn't slipping. I will also check my distribution block to see if the wires came loose but wouldn't it be all or nothing there (car would have power or wouldn't)? I don't really wanna check the battery because of the way I mounted it in the trunk. It is a PITA to get the box off. Thanks for the help.

[joem]

If the battery is shorted out then it could act like a alt. is bad. Pulling to much power to charge it.
joe

[john]

Well, my year old Mopar battery is shot. I threw in ghettostyle's battery :secret: until I can bring this one back. We will see how they warranty their 5 year battery. It only has 132 CCA now. The charging system still seems a little low though. It used to read ~13v on the turbo timer and now I get a constant high of 11.99v.

[joem]

The battert could of eat up the alt. also.
joe

[john]

Well, it is something other than the battery also. I am still running ghettostyle's battery and the symptoms above came again. Lights came on dimly right as I was parking my car tonight. I haven't checked the voltage on the turbo timer yet though. My battery was low in acid. I checked it earlier today. I filled it with distilled water and sat it on the charger overnight at work. There is no corrosion on my battery terminals or anything. Where could it have gone??? Any other ideas as to what my problem could be? I might go over to checker in a few days and have them check my alternator and charging system over.

[john]

Well, I replaced the alternator today and the problem is gone. My turbo timer reads ~14.2v now. Now when I start the car though, my belt squeals for about 15-20 seconds. I assume one of the ribs in the belt is in the wrong groove??? Never had this problem before. I have heard it on a few other dsms though.

[unreal808]

Adjust the belt tension, or replace the belt.

[john]

tighter right? There is about a 1/4 inch deflection between the alt pully and the waterpump pulley.

[unreal808]

ya, just remember not to tight, you could take out the bearings in the water pump and Alt. :goodluck: