- Location
- MilkyWay Galaxy
Usually it is obvious to me when an alternator goes bad, but mine is coming and going, so I have a what happened question here for 5-90 and the EE guys.
About 2 weeks ago I ran through a puddle of rain water that was just deep enough that it splashed the alternator (I have no splash guard). The belt slipped for a few seconds, and then everything was back to normal. I wondered at the time if my alternator might give me trouble. Well a week ago I noticed my dash gauge voltage was lower than usual. I checked the battery voltage, OK, Bat voltage with engine running OK, same with head lights, AC and AC blower motor on high and Max, the Bat voltage dropped to about 12.70 volts, from a bit over 14 volts, so I figured I had lost half the diodes. An hour later I started it up and the voltage and current was normal again during my next trip(s). Stayed OK for last 5 of 7 days and acted up again last 2 days.
Had the battery load tested at Auto zone today while it was acting up, battery is OK. So I am wondering if the voltage regulator is acting up (In Renix it is built in to the alternator) or if I have an intermittent set of diodes that got heat /cold water shocked and are now making intermittent contact inside or outside of the diode set, and thus are working one minute and then not the next.
I am replacing the alternator right now, but curious as to everyones thoughts on it. In the past my alternators have always died 1/2 way and then all the way as one diode set then another burned out, or got fried jump charging another car.
About 2 weeks ago I ran through a puddle of rain water that was just deep enough that it splashed the alternator (I have no splash guard). The belt slipped for a few seconds, and then everything was back to normal. I wondered at the time if my alternator might give me trouble. Well a week ago I noticed my dash gauge voltage was lower than usual. I checked the battery voltage, OK, Bat voltage with engine running OK, same with head lights, AC and AC blower motor on high and Max, the Bat voltage dropped to about 12.70 volts, from a bit over 14 volts, so I figured I had lost half the diodes. An hour later I started it up and the voltage and current was normal again during my next trip(s). Stayed OK for last 5 of 7 days and acted up again last 2 days.
Had the battery load tested at Auto zone today while it was acting up, battery is OK. So I am wondering if the voltage regulator is acting up (In Renix it is built in to the alternator) or if I have an intermittent set of diodes that got heat /cold water shocked and are now making intermittent contact inside or outside of the diode set, and thus are working one minute and then not the next.
I am replacing the alternator right now, but curious as to everyones thoughts on it. In the past my alternators have always died 1/2 way and then all the way as one diode set then another burned out, or got fried jump charging another car.