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Re: Alternator problems Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Alternator problems, Ron F, Sat, 6 Jan 2001 00:43:37 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
It could be a bad diode pack in the alternator, or a faulty voltage regulator, which is bolted on the back of the alternator. Could it have failed after 13 months? Sure - things fail all the time, sometimes right out of the box. If things never broke in the first year, then there would never be warrantee work.
Running at low voltage isn't great for other components, but as long as you're getting 12 and change, it'll be OK. It will stress the hell out your battery, reducing its life. Also, winter (I assum it's winter where you are), is tough - you get stuck in a traffic jam with the blower running, lights on (dark sooner), maybe the defroster and seat heaters, and you'll be draining the battery. The car could die and not restart, and the inconvience and cost of the tow would run much more than fixing the problem.
You can probably replace the diode pack, but not without opening up the alternator. You can get a quality rebuilt alternator for about $100, so it just isn't worth the effort, in my opinion. Try your local autoparts places, and the big chains like Pep Boys and Autozone.
Good luck!
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