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Re: Alternator is toast. Should I upgrade? Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:32:46
In Reply to: Alternator is toast. Should I upgrade?, tiemco, Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:01:43 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
If you still have power steering and the car hasn't overheated, the belt and pulley are still there - the PS and Water pumps run off that belt.
As marvin notes, it may be as simple as a bad voltage regulator, or the wire to it has frayed and is rubbing on ground. The reason to replace the alternator is if the bearing has failed, or an internal diode has blown. The bearing won't show up as a voltage problem; a bad diode will.
I'd replace the VR first. It's not that expensive and alternators rarely die - it's the VR most of the time. In fact, it's probably just a bad brush on the VR. If that doesn't fix it, then it's probably a blown diode. A good automotive electrics shop can tell, with the alternator in the car. Unless you've got an oscilloscope, it's tough to find a bad diode at home.
If the VR doesn't fix it, you've got a few options. You can take the alternator out and have a shop rebuild it. This will take the car off the road for a bit. It may or may not be cheaper than replacing it. If you do replace it, get a rebuilt - much cheaper, and just as good.
But wait, I just bought a new VR? When you turn the old alternator in for the core charge, make sure you stick the old VR back in. Keep the new one as a spare.
OK, two questions left - stick with the 80, or upgrade? The 80 was standard on cars without a lot of electrical loads - power seats, etc. If you haven't added a lot of new electrical loads - extra lights, a killer stereo, a hot tub - then the 80 is just fine. If you've added more electrical loads, then upgrading is reasonable, if you can get the alternator at a decent price.
I always move the pulley from the old one to the new one. That way you know it fits. And you can know the serpentine belt will fit.
From your comments about the belt, I'm going to assume you're not that familiar with the belt system. This further leads me to assume that belt may have been there for a while. You also didn't mention what engine you have - '90 was a transition year for the 2.0 to 2.3l engines.
If the serpentine belt is over 60K miles, replace it, for any year. There is also a tensioner pulley and an idler pulley. Those are good for about 75K miles. If you want to save money, remove the belt, and spin the pulleys. Also give them a good wiggle. If they feel smooth, fine. If they make noise, have any play, or feel gritty or rumbly when you turn them, replace them. Mail order is your best bet. A bad tensioner / idler pulley can make a simple trip to the store into a pretty long ride, what with the tow truck and all.
posted by 99.159.103...
, Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:32:46 <-- Viewing This Message, Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:24:01
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