Amazing what a new alternator can do

mcmillonbe · Post by **mcmillonbe** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:40 am

The other night I'm driving the 92 wagon and I'm thinking that maybe my eyes must be going. That is until my stock stereo starts clippiing out. Big time warning sign to me to kill the stereo and turn off the heater and limp home. I make it home and test the alternator and battery, both at around 9.4v. I'm amazed that the car could actually start and function at the low voltage.
I replaced the alternator and battery and I really am amazed at the big difference in the car's performance. It really made a big difference in the way the car idles and overall power. Oh yeah the headlight actually put out useful light at night now.
Has anyone had similiar experiences with this problem??

you all have a nice day

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 3:35 am

When you mean Clipping out what do you mean? Auto goes in & out when you put on the brakes?

I ask because maybe a a year and 8 months after I got my car everytime I put on the brakes without the headlights on, my clock dims (still plays fine)

But now about 4 days ago when getting off the highway it seemed to flicker on and off, But then again it could be the display going out..

But tonight, I turn my car just to "on" with the radio turned down all the way, and it makes this soft flutting sound from the left front speaker, I don't understand.

mcmillonbe · Post by **mcmillonbe** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 4:38 pm

I had a noise coming from my rear speakers as the alternator was going out. I also noticed my dash lights were dimmer than usual and the car idled at around 2k.

We'll see how long the lifetime $109.00 alternator from autozone lasts, luckily its only a 30 min job to chage out.

skid542 · Post by **skid542** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:15 pm

1-3-2-4, your alternator is on it's way out. I had the same problem a few months ago and when I had the headlights on I could hit the brakes and it'd take the radio completely out. I'd suggest getting ontop of it soon.

So to answer your orginal question Mcmillonbe, yes, I've exprience problems just like you had and the alternator took care of it lickity split.

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:37 pm

skid542 wrote:1-3-2-4, your alternator is on it's way out. I had the same problem a few months ago and when I had the headlights on I could hit the brakes and it'd take the radio completely out. I'd suggest getting ontop of it soon.

So to answer your orginal question Mcmillonbe, yes, I've exprience problems just like you had and the alternator took care of it lickity split.

but here is something I wanted to ask you...

This is odd.. "When" the headlights or just the parking light is on, the Radio Dims like a good radio should and all is well..

However Turn the Headlights off and the The RAdio will Blank out (can't see anything on the display) until you release the brakes...

But Hold down the brakes and turn on the lights and it dims just normal.

I will do a video for you tonight.

skid542 · Post by **skid542** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:20 pm

Yeah that does sound a little 'backwards' but I still think it's a power supply issue and the first thing I can think of is the alternator. Does the music cut out too or just the display? Do your headlights seem as bright as they used to be?

If you have a second hand available get someone to play with the brakes and the headlights with the car running and take a volt meter to your alternator/battery to see what is happening.

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 12:46 am

I have some help right now, doing my brakes I will try and remember.

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:32 pm

Hey what areas do I need to hook the meter up to on the Alternator?

ultrasonic · Post by **ultrasonic** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:40 pm

I've had the same issue- hit the brakes and the display on the stock stereo dims or flickers. I think this could also be related to a ground wire connection being loose or corroded.

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:44 pm

ultrasonic wrote:I've had the same issue- hit the brakes and the display on the stock stereo dims or flickers. I think this could also be related to a ground wire connection being loose or corroded.

Does it do it with the headlights on or just the parking lights on?

Threshld1 · Post by **Threshld1** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:08 pm

my alt is almost done for on my new 93ss. wired up the VGR3 scan tool and comes up with a 12.2v-12.6v idle and max of 13.5v which explains why my yellowtop has not died on me yet as it is still charging some of the time. The alt is definatly going though so i found someone selling a brand new 05 sti alt 90amp (vs 70 on ours) for $80 shipped so i figured why not. Should be arriving in the mail this weekend, ill post pics and info on how it affects my idle/preformance once i get it in

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:43 pm

WTF!!! This is weird!! MY ALT WENT TODAY!!!

My stereo lights were diming and the speakers were making a funny noise. Then I watched the windsheild wipers get slower and slower.

I turned off everything but the lights and wipers and limped home.

I BLAME SUBYLUVR!!! HE JINXED ME!!!

subyluvr2212 wrote:
Your charging system wrote:Help me! Help me!

So Mike..will you be buying me a new one or installing it??? I'll buy lunch.

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:03 am

someone tell me what leads do I hook up to? I take it I take the Red cap off and the other I touch on any metal part on the car?

Threshld1 · Post by **Threshld1** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:13 am

yeah, any b+ point on the car, your battery terminal +, your fusebox alt fuse, directly off the alt + are all perfectly acceptable b+12v test points and ground would be any piece of metal on your car (paint inhibits electrical conduction) so b-, your block, anyone of the many ground points on the strut towers they will all give you a relatively equal reading. hell you can take a cig lighter adaptor with bare ends and test there too just dont short them

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:02 am

haha thanks for reminding me (stupid state taxes)

Let me go do the video now and try to see what read out we get.

ultrasonic · Post by **ultrasonic** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:10 am

1-3-2-4 wrote:
ultrasonic wrote:I've had the same issue- hit the brakes and the display on the stock stereo dims or flickers. I think this could also be related to a ground wire connection being loose or corroded.
Does it do it with the headlights on or just the parking lights on?

It does it w/ headlights on or off, parking lights on or off. Sometimes it will do it, sometimes it does not do it.

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:51 am

Here is the video, don't mind my blabbing.

I'm seeing 14.1 V at idle and near 6,000 rpm with the lights on and off.

Maybe it's just the clock going out? I've been curious to buy a new Radio (need to anyways) and see if the same thing happens.

http://media.putfile.com/Clock64

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 3:40 am

Is anyone else having a problem with the video? I get the audio...no video.

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 3:42 am

subawhatsubawho wrote:Is anyone else having a problem with the video? I get the audio...no video.

Hmm your the first, I just looked at it works fine for me.

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 3:56 am

Oooops..it was firefox. I opened it in Internet exploder and it worked fine. My bad.

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:35 am

subawhatsubawho wrote:Oooops..it was firefox. I opened it in Internet exploder and it worked fine. My bad.

Wow thats werid I use firefox and I can see it fine.

But anyways you see what I mean now?

It started doing this about a year and ahalf ago.

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:45 am

That is weird. Might be time for a new radio...unless you can live with the goofy light thing.

I would take your radio out, find the dimmer wire and hook up your meter to it and then step on the brake pedal. See if the voltage changes.

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 5:59 am

subawhatsubawho wrote:That is weird. Might be time for a new radio...unless you can live with the goofy light thing.

I would take your radio out, find the dimmer wire and hook up your meter to it and then step on the brake pedal. See if the voltage changes.

lol I've taken it out many of times but I'm chaning it anyways lol it's a tape player haha.

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:15 am

Are you putting in another Suby unit or an aftermarket?

1-3-2-4 · Post by **1-3-2-4** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:18 am

subawhatsubawho wrote:Are you putting in another Suby unit or an aftermarket?

Aftermarket

legacycentral bbs

A forum for 89-94 BC-BF(BJ) Legacy Owners and Fans

Amazing what a new alternator can do

Amazing what a new alternator can do