Is it my alternator?

Black_FTOGPX · Post by **Black_FTOGPX** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:11 pm

Yesterday I noticed that my volt gauge was sitting way over 12v.

This morning my battery was totally flat. (Didnâ€™t even have enough juice to unlock the doors)

So I charged the battery and she started fine. But the battery gauge is going of its head, dropping to like 8v then going to 16v.

The car is also stalling when a have any electric on like the radio. (so just have to keep some revs to keep her alive.

Is this my alternator?

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:25 pm

if the voltage is fluctuating it is likely to be the voltage regulator.

jester · Post by **jester** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:25 pm

How olds your batt mate?

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:27 pm

BTW... I still think your car is getting back at you for "cheating" on her

"hell hath no fury like a FTO scourned"

Black_FTOGPX · Post by **Black_FTOGPX** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:32 pm

Got the same battery since i got her, about a year ago, so dont really know but it dosn't look that old.
Do you think it could be the Battery?

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:46 pm

When the engine is off it is relying on the power of the battery, when the engine is on, it uses the alternator as the primary source of power.

Black_FTOGPX · Post by **Black_FTOGPX** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:49 pm

Whats a good way of doing a test?

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:01 pm

With the engine off, look at the voltage display and also check the brightness of your headlights and stuff like the radio etc. This will give you an indication of your battery.

If all is OK then it would suggest your battery is OK.

If things start going wrong when the engine is running then it is the alternator (probably the voltage regulator in the alternator).

jester · Post by **jester** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 2:08 pm

A 1 year old batt??
That shuld be sweet

plaes like Bob jane can do batt tests - its takes like 2 mins on a tester machine.
Checking the brightness of your headlights/ dash etc is a good idea.

But yeah your alternator sounds like the most prob culprit!!

good luck!!

Black_FTOGPX · Post by **Black_FTOGPX** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 2:26 pm

Yep Think the alternator is F*ck^d,

When the engine is not started all is fine and donâ€™t seem to be having any probs,

But when the engine is started, all hell breaks loose. Volt gauge goes spastic back and forth when indicators are on. Dash lights seem to dim.

But i think this will be covered by my warranty.

Black_FTOGPX · Post by **Black_FTOGPX** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:14 pm

Having this checked tommorow.
My warranty should cover the alternator, so dont think there is to much to worry about. But we'll see.

Now i keep hearing these horror stories of people stuffing up the reconditioning. What is the part called that they miss?

Post by **smorison** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:41 pm

with all the alternators going at the moment i think i might ask A Class up here to get a swap alternator, they've done heaps of R&D on fixing FTO alternators cheap and quick...

seems 99% of alternator failures are regulators so its easy enough to fix / replace no need for a new alternator just a reco.

Foe · Post by **Foe** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 9:31 am

Mine needs a new regulator. Anyone know the part number, where to get one or how much?

Oh yeah and who was it that said they new a way to get them out in under 15 mins?? Taking off the exaust manifold is not the answer

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:20 pm

Hmm.. that could of been Kev possibly... 15mins...

I recently got mine alternator reconditioned, along with the regulator. When your regulator is playing up it is important to try not drive the car as much as possible because you may blow something expensive like the ECU if the voltage goes very high.

Foe · Post by **Foe** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:51 pm

Its not really a problem in fact my problem is exactly the opposote I have too little voltage. Im lucky if it sits over 13v most of the time its just over 12v. How much did that cost you? Would they recondition the regulator or just replace it?

DZYRME · Post by **DZYRME** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 1:58 am

Well guys Im back from overseas, and finally back in my FTO. Much to my disapointment I am having the exact same problem with mine. The car runs fine during the day, but at night when I have my lights on, the voltage drops, and I need to keep revving the car, to keep it running.

It now never starts straight away, if I have had my alarm armed. It takes me about 8 goes till it starts, which resets my head unit all the time. But if I dont arm the car, it will start. If I turn my stereo up while driving, my deck starts flashing. I had my Alternator changed about 2 years ago.

I cant determine if it is my alarm drawing to much power, my car battery dying or my Alternator on the way out.. Somebody help me!!

After reading this post, do you think our FTO's have past the used by date??

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:05 am

DZYRME wrote:If I turn my stereo up while driving, my deck starts flashing

It wouldn't be your alarm if your head unit flashes while driving...

What voltages on your battery do you get,
1) In the Morning, when you haven't touched it yet?
2) What Voltage at the battery when turning over?
3) What voltage on idle?
4) Voltage, 1hr after driving for a while?

Sounds like an Alternator problem, you know if you got it reconditioned, the mechanics sometime leave the working parts in there, also my alternator looked brand new, and the coils were brand new, but the internals weren't and that's what went wrong...