Electrical, Possible Alternator

mukow · Post by **mukow** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:36 am

Have got an 94 Mivec Auto FTO.
Just yesterday we have been having some problems with it.

All of a sudden it wouldnt start. Battery was completley dead.
Jump started the car and it was running ok for about a minute, but as soon as the headlights were turned on it died and went down to about 8 volts. We tried another battery and with it and it started but was sitting on 12V. I was under the impression that the car should be at 14V when idleing and if not it is the alternator that is broken. This has just come up all of a sudden. Im not sure but i think it is the alternator just wondering if i could get a second opionion because the alternators are not cheap. And also if anyone knows a place in sydney that rebuilds alternators.

Many Thanks
Tim

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:42 pm

A few people seem to be getting this and believing its an issue. My car generally sits on 12v, while the battery is charging it sits at 14v (this happens periodically) and there is nothing wrong with my battery or the electricals.

I think it's normal mate.

Leave this new battery in and if it goes dead too, then you have a problem, almost certainly the alternator.

Teania · Post by **Teania** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:45 pm

A-class
Victoria Ave
Castle Hill

Can't remember the phone number, they rebuilt my alternator about 12 months ago - along with about 5 others around the same time..... (should have gone "group buy"

)

Cheers
Tanya

WildRide · Post by **WildRide** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:18 pm

Seems like an appropriate place to put this

I'm kind of keeping my eyes out for a new alt.
Just got to quote back from Mitzi for the genuine part

$1630 Plus shipping.

Lets hear it for re-builds......

WR

barfy · Post by **barfy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:00 pm

I was going to start a new thread but hey there is allready one here....

got home from work tonight and drove to the GF's house didnt notice any probs, got in it to go home about 2 hours later and notice the volts were sitting between 8 and 12 and the battery light was turning on and off ?? Please tell me this isnt the alternator $1600 f**k that !

Dr_Jones · Post by **Dr_Jones** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:32 am

Certainly sounds like the alternator to me, I have a DIY in the DIY section on how to get it out. When mine went cost me a hundred bucks for a repair. Pirce will depend on what exactly is wrong with it.

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:24 am

We've had a spate of this recently in the UK, well it is winter here, but theres a DIY rebuild thread on our site, http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=46520

HTH, oh, and Hello by the way

Arashi

mukow · Post by **mukow** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 4:52 pm

thanks for all the replys.
Looks like it was the battery, i was under the impression that the volts should be constant 14V while running.

Will keep on testing.

Nacho · Post by **Nacho** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 5:55 pm

Most likely the alternator regulator.

And most auto electricians will rebuild an alternator if you bring it to them. Don't tell them what car its from or they might jack up the price.

I got a rebuild for about $250 when my regulator went.

barfy · Post by **barfy** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:09 am

How hard is it to take out your alternator ??

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:34 am

sounds like the alternator, but check the fusible link first before goin n gettin the alternator done

barfy · Post by **barfy** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:38 am

and thats done how ?? haha

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:57 am

god i feel like a broken record... its in your engine bay fuse box, bottom right corner... a big black square with a clear lid... should have 80A written on it.... look thru the clear bit... same as a fuse, if the wires broken its gone, youll need to screw a new 1 in...

i found this out when my panel beater blew it... all the electrics went in the middle of the road.... my cluster was the first thing to stop... not fun!

barfy · Post by **barfy** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:18 am

Well i do hear a whinding noise when putting my foot off and on the accelerator ....

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:51 pm

barfy wrote:Well i do hear a whinding noise when putting my foot off and on the accelerator ....

And it sounds like a fully sick turbo too hey hehehee sounds like the alternator going to pack soon.

shnegan · Post by **shnegan** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:53 pm

Like one of the other guys said check the 80A fusable link in the engine bay first.
i had my regulator die on me and it cost 400 to rebuild it!
I guess it just depends on who u go to and/or who u know.

barfy · Post by **barfy** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:33 am

Its off to the shop drop it off this morning, heard the whining when i started it and volts were at around 10, while driving there it went up to 14 but back down to 10 on idle... I found an alternator for $135 at a jap auto place so i will probably get that and get mine rebuild ready for the other one to go

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:21 pm

I've got this whine too....noticed last night, never really thought anything of it before.

barfy · Post by **barfy** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:28 pm

Keep an eye on your voltage while your driving and at idle if it drops its on its way out ... Im guessing seeing our cars are around the same years you might find there will be an influx of alternators going !