alternator problems again

2 door cut · 05-15-2007, 10:00 AM

i had recently replaced my alternator. when i had the good alternator in, when i would start my car, the volts would go right to 14 and stay at 14. all of a sudden, my volts dropped to 12.

i had a warranty on it, so i just went and got a new one. i put the new one in and start my car. when the car starts, it stays at 12. ill drive it around, turn the music on, lights on, a/c, etc etc, stays at 12. when im driving, i put it in neutral and rev the shit out of the engine, then it goes to 14 volts, and stays there.

now it stays at 12 until i rev the engine. i asked 2 people about it and they both said that its normal. if this is normal, then why did my old alternator go straight to 14? is my new alternator messed up? could the charging system be screwed?

this is the second or third time ive had problem with my volts, and its getting on my last nerve. almost makes me want to sell this son of a bitch. please help me out becuase im really considering it again.

Oldsguy · 05-15-2007, 10:27 AM

You may not have had to replace the alternator the first time. Did you have it checked first? Most auto parts stores have devices that can check your alternator under a load. Secondly, you haven't mentioned (and may have not looked at) your vehicle wiring and the gauge itself. Either one of those could be causing your perceived trouble. Or, if it is the gauge, then you really don't have a trouble with the alternator or wiring at all.

2 door cut · 05-15-2007, 10:46 AM

but if it was the guage, why would it be doing the exact thing the other alternator (before i replaced it with a good one) was doing?

actually, i know it cant be the gauge becuase my power windows goes up slower when the volts on are 12

ozoneblue · 05-15-2007, 05:59 PM

Make shure your belt is tight & not slipping just a little.Does it go around the crank & water pump? or does the PS tension have any effect like the old 350s ?

Jim's rare 80 · 05-16-2007, 04:21 AM

Hi. Get a tester, and check the current to the battery when running. Then, disconnect the wire from the back of the alt. start again, and check alt. seperate. This will rule out a wiring issue. jim.

2 door cut · 05-17-2007, 02:54 PM

well, forget about the alternator, cuz my headgasket just blew! yahoo! i curse 2007.

87candycutty · 05-28-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 door cut

well, forget about the alternator, cuz my headgasket just blew! yahoo! i curse 2007.

Dude that sucks dont give up on your cuttdog though

worship the cutty even with your hard luck

dickk · 06-10-2007, 02:16 PM

6/10/07

My mother-in-law's 94 Cutlass eats alternators! She bought it new and currently has 40,000 miles and is on the third alternator. The first one died with 2-3000 miles and was replaced by the Olds agency. The second one died with about 20,000 miles and the third one just expired. In each case they have been replaced with factory original equipment. So far the only advice from the agency is just replace it!! The most recent incident was just before entering the freeway -it's getting dangerous. If there's not an obvious fix, it's time to sell the car. Would appreciate any insight others may have. Thanks

05-15-2007, 10:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
2 door cut Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 17	alternator problems again i had recently replaced my alternator. when i had the good alternator in, when i would start my car, the volts would go right to 14 and stay at 14. all of a sudden, my volts dropped to 12. i had a warranty on it, so i just went and got a new one. i put the new one in and start my car. when the car starts, it stays at 12. ill drive it around, turn the music on, lights on, a/c, etc etc, stays at 12. when im driving, i put it in neutral and rev the shit out of the engine, then it goes to 14 volts, and stays there. now it stays at 12 until i rev the engine. i asked 2 people about it and they both said that its normal. if this is normal, then why did my old alternator go straight to 14? is my new alternator messed up? could the charging system be screwed? this is the second or third time ive had problem with my volts, and its getting on my last nerve. almost makes me want to sell this son of a bitch. please help me out becuase im really considering it again.

05-15-2007, 10:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,859	You may not have had to replace the alternator the first time. Did you have it checked first? Most auto parts stores have devices that can check your alternator under a load. Secondly, you haven't mentioned (and may have not looked at) your vehicle wiring and the gauge itself. Either one of those could be causing your perceived trouble. Or, if it is the gauge, then you really don't have a trouble with the alternator or wiring at all. __________________ Dan '46 2 door

05-16-2007, 04:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jim's rare 80 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 210	Hi. Get a tester, and check the current to the battery when running. Then, disconnect the wire from the back of the alt. start again, and check alt. seperate. This will rule out a wiring issue. jim. __________________

06-10-2007, 02:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
dickk Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	94 Cutlass eats alternators 6/10/07 My mother-in-law's 94 Cutlass eats alternators! She bought it new and currently has 40,000 miles and is on the third alternator. The first one died with 2-3000 miles and was replaced by the Olds agency. The second one died with about 20,000 miles and the third one just expired. In each case they have been replaced with factory original equipment. So far the only advice from the agency is just replace it!! The most recent incident was just before entering the freeway -it's getting dangerous. If there's not an obvious fix, it's time to sell the car. Would appreciate any insight others may have. Thanks

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05-15-2007, 10:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
2 door cut Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 17	but if it was the guage, why would it be doing the exact thing the other alternator (before i replaced it with a good one) was doing? actually, i know it cant be the gauge becuase my power windows goes up slower when the volts on are 12

05-15-2007, 05:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
ozoneblue Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 407	Make shure your belt is tight & not slipping just a little.Does it go around the crank & water pump? or does the PS tension have any effect like the old 350s ?

05-17-2007, 02:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
2 door cut Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 17	well, forget about the alternator, cuz my headgasket just blew! yahoo! i curse 2007.