Alternator issues

crimson236 · Post by **crimson236** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:17 am

Hi guys, I just got an FTO recently, the voltage has been jumping around a lot and the batt light flashes from time to time when I'm driving. I brought it to my mechanic and he said it's the alternator. But the seller told me he just got the alternator checked last week and it was working fine. Any suggestions what other possible causes it could be before I spend a bomb on replacing the alternator? Thanks.

J · Post by J » Sat Apr 10, 2010 3:00 am

its both

i just fixed mine today, alternator was faulty so i replaced it.

battery still died after that so i changed the battery aswell

now its fine

pearl_blu_fto · Post by **pearl_blu_fto** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 3:26 am

I will agree

Sadly this will be the case, and also it shouldn't cost you a mint for "this macky" of yours to remove and replace your alternator after it has been recondidtioned...

For some well most, people will remove it them selves simple enough task a bit tight but simple enough to do so, once you can do this even if you are not mechanically minded you can just take it into your Auto eleckies and have them overhaul it

Let me know where your at i can more than likely help you out

I'm in Brisbane!

Cheers Damian.

crimson236 · Post by **crimson236** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:10 am

Thanks guys! I'm not very mechanical minded though. Prob will have to stick with a professional. Don't wanna wreck my new ride that soon. LOL I'm in Perth though. Any gd mechanic u'd recommend?

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:33 am

Check your charging voltage if you have doubts.

crimson236 · Post by **crimson236** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:16 pm

How do I check the charging voltage?

pearl_blu_fto · Post by **pearl_blu_fto** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:56 pm

crimson236 wrote:How do I check the charging voltage?

Ok since your not a Mechanic

this will be the up most easiest task, IF YOU HAVE a Mult Meter or a Volt meter , use the Posotive and Negative prongs with the meter and attatch to the Posotive + and negative - Terminals on the Battery, while the car is on and running note the Voltage at idle without any Accesories on while doing so Turn headlights on High and Low beam, Radio ect.

If the Voltage on the Multi Meter is Dropping with the accesories on then you will know your Alternator isn't charging

Any Auto Electricians can do this for you

crimson236 · Post by **crimson236** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 12:15 am

Thanks guys. Hope to fix it soon...

silverGPX · Post by **silverGPX** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:05 am

Anything to do with the battery light and the voltage jumping around is the alternator, or sh*tty battery terminals.

First things you should check is the terminals, take them off give the battery poles a quick sanding and sand inside the plug as well.

Make sure the wires are sitting in the plug good as well, put the terminals back on and make sure they are tight, the terminals can not move at all.

If it still does it get a mates battery see and give that a go.

If that doesnt work, its your alternator, and if you have a gpx i would advise against getting it reconditioned as i have seen so many people have problems with the car not reaching mivec. Just get a 2nd hand one.

Where abouts are you located as well? If it needs to be replaced i am experienced and can do it for you.

silverGPX · Post by **silverGPX** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:07 am

Oh perth.. im in QLD my bad.

Also the charging wire off the alternator could be loose, which is dangerous as it could spark against the body of the car.

mr-charisma · Post by **mr-charisma** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 1:02 pm

silverGPX wrote: If that doesnt work, its your alternator, and if you have a gpx i would advise against getting it reconditioned as i have seen so many people have problems with the car not reaching mivec. Just get a 2nd hand one.

Very true. But as long as you make the auto-electrician aware that it is a known issues & they need to check that they're using the right parts & then if they put it back in & mivec is broken, then get them to re-do it for free..

Going 2nd hand means you have no way of knowing when it will die again.. could be 2 days, 2 years, or could last for another 10, but more likely sooner than later

chausta · Post by **chausta** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:49 am

how much does reconditioning cost?

mr-charisma · Post by **mr-charisma** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 1:25 am

chausta wrote:how much does reconditioning cost?

removal, recondition, & refit cost me about $280 from memory

pearl_blu_fto · Post by **pearl_blu_fto** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:58 pm

mr-charisma wrote:
chausta wrote:how much does reconditioning cost?
removal, recondition, & refit cost me about $280 from memory

I'll agree the last time i had an Alternator Recond. I removed it and replaced it my self and only Paid the Recond price of about $150 although i didn't get an exchange unit they had already sitting around, i just had the one from the car Reconditioned.

Since they may or maynot already have one for your car, Just makes it a quicker transition

"Customer" WOW OMG my car is ready to pick Up Already....

"Auto-Eleckie" Why Yes it is Sir...

FTO AUSTRALIA

Alternator issues

Alternator issues

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