Alternator: Am I missing something here?

01MGGT · March 14th, 2010, 08:02 PM

Ok so all winter I have had the battery of my car hooked up to a maintainer at 1amp. Car has been just fine the past couple times I drove it. Come out today and crank her and the voltage gauge is way low. Maybe 1/4 from bottom. I checked the voltage at battery and at the alternator connection (nut on top) and got 11.35 at both places. I don't have a battery light on however. And if I turn any accessories on it starts dropping the gauge. I did not plug the maintainer back in two days ago when I drove the car. It's looking like my alternator isn't doing anything at all. Is there something else to check? I have the battery on the maintainer now and the alternator only has 54k on it as does the car. The battery was replaced by previous owner and looks good.

ajm · March 14th, 2010, 08:07 PM

Have you checked the voltage with it running? Or is the 11.35 reading with it running?

RyanGT · March 14th, 2010, 08:07 PM

So voltage doesn't change at all when you turn the car on? And what is voltage at the battery before you start it? Charge it up with whatever you had maintaining it, just turn it up a bit.

If voltage is normal at battery (in low-mid 12v) then goes down steadily when you turn car on, or doesnt go to at least 13 it is the alt. 85% sure

RyanGT · March 14th, 2010, 08:08 PM

Lol Ajm, we say the same thing almost every time

01MGGT · March 14th, 2010, 08:09 PM

lol. I am about to go start it again now that it's over 12 volts at the battery. And yes, with the car actually running the alternator was showing the exact same voltage as the batter: 11.35

RyanGT · March 14th, 2010, 08:10 PM

Rev it up with the voltmeter on it still.

ajm · March 14th, 2010, 08:12 PM

^

...You want to see around 14.4 or close to it anyways with it running or being revved. If you dont the alternator prolly took a crap on you.

01MGGT · March 14th, 2010, 08:13 PM

i buy all my blower stuff and now my alternator is prob shot. There is nothing else to check at all?

RyanGT · March 14th, 2010, 08:18 PM

nope. If it isn't charging it is either your alternator shitting out. Or you didn't plug it in. Did you rev it when it on? Also, try holding your positive lead on the alternator positive, then find your own ground (block, radiator, w/e). See if you get a higher rating.

01MGGT · March 14th, 2010, 08:45 PM

I reved it and al that happened was the voltage dropped. It is plugged in. Is there anyway to test ohms or anything on that connector before I goto the parts store and drop 220 bucks on an alternator?

01MGGT · March 15th, 2010, 12:04 AM

tested the connector from harness to alternator and it was good so I replaced alternator. All good now after 213 bucks! For a damn reman! Ford can't build alternators or powersteering pumps worth a shit. Same goes for door lock actuators

BakerFX4 · March 15th, 2010, 12:07 AM

+1 on the actuators! I had to replace 2 of them in my 04f150 and need to do the ones in the car.

01MGGT · March 15th, 2010, 12:25 AM

lol I had one go out at 52k

95BlackStang · March 15th, 2010, 12:30 AM

i had the same problem on my 99 gt and in my uncles truck, the voltage regulator is what craped out on you. and since now in days it is incorporated into the alt you need to get a new one

Huxley · March 15th, 2010, 12:59 AM

213 bucks for a reman alt? I can get a new one for 180 from Autozone >_>

Btw, Ford have external voltage regulators. So he could have just spent about 20 bucks to replace the piece and see if that was the problem.

March 14th, 2010, 08:02 PM	#1
01MGGT Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alamogordo NM Holloman AFB Posts: 1,200 iTrader: 0 reviews	Alternator: Am I missing something here? Ok so all winter I have had the battery of my car hooked up to a maintainer at 1amp. Car has been just fine the past couple times I drove it. Come out today and crank her and the voltage gauge is way low. Maybe 1/4 from bottom. I checked the voltage at battery and at the alternator connection (nut on top) and got 11.35 at both places. I don't have a battery light on however. And if I turn any accessories on it starts dropping the gauge. I did not plug the maintainer back in two days ago when I drove the car. It's looking like my alternator isn't doing anything at all. Is there something else to check? I have the battery on the maintainer now and the alternator only has 54k on it as does the car. The battery was replaced by previous owner and looks good. __________________ 375hp 380tq Vortech v1 7.5 psi CMS stg1 Cams 75mm TB/Plenum Flows O/R X AFM MrFreeze Meth Steeda Springs Sniper vids http://www.youtube.com/user/01mggt Mineral Grey Club member #14 Military Crew E-4 Predator Crew Chief Holloman

March 14th, 2010, 08:07 PM	#3
RyanGT MM Fanatic 2000 GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 4,258 iTrader: 4 reviews	So voltage doesn't change at all when you turn the car on? And what is voltage at the battery before you start it? Charge it up with whatever you had maintaining it, just turn it up a bit. If voltage is normal at battery (in low-mid 12v) then goes down steadily when you turn car on, or doesnt go to at least 13 it is the alt. 85% sure __________________ 2000 Black convertible GT: KB 15psi, and other goodies... 1971 Datsun 240 z: Header and rebuilt motor. (The DD)

March 14th, 2010, 08:08 PM	#4
RyanGT MM Fanatic 2000 GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 4,258 iTrader: 4 reviews	Lol Ajm, we say the same thing almost every time __________________ 2000 Black convertible GT: KB 15psi, and other goodies... 1971 Datsun 240 z: Header and rebuilt motor. (The DD)

March 14th, 2010, 08:09 PM	#5
01MGGT Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alamogordo NM Holloman AFB Posts: 1,200 iTrader: 0 reviews	lol. I am about to go start it again now that it's over 12 volts at the battery. And yes, with the car actually running the alternator was showing the exact same voltage as the batter: 11.35 __________________ 375hp 380tq Vortech v1 7.5 psi CMS stg1 Cams 75mm TB/Plenum Flows O/R X AFM MrFreeze Meth Steeda Springs Sniper vids http://www.youtube.com/user/01mggt Mineral Grey Club member #14 Military Crew E-4 Predator Crew Chief Holloman

March 14th, 2010, 08:10 PM	#6
RyanGT MM Fanatic 2000 GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 4,258 iTrader: 4 reviews	Rev it up with the voltmeter on it still. __________________ 2000 Black convertible GT: KB 15psi, and other goodies... 1971 Datsun 240 z: Header and rebuilt motor. (The DD)

March 14th, 2010, 08:07 PM	#2
ajm Banned Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 7,970 iTrader: 4 reviews	Have you checked the voltage with it running? Or is the 11.35 reading with it running?

March 14th, 2010, 08:12 PM	#7
ajm Banned Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 7,970 iTrader: 4 reviews	^...You want to see around 14.4 or close to it anyways with it running or being revved. If you dont the alternator prolly took a crap on you.

March 14th, 2010, 08:13 PM	#8
01MGGT Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alamogordo NM Holloman AFB Posts: 1,200 iTrader: 0 reviews	i buy all my blower stuff and now my alternator is prob shot. There is nothing else to check at all? __________________ 375hp 380tq Vortech v1 7.5 psi CMS stg1 Cams 75mm TB/Plenum Flows O/R X AFM MrFreeze Meth Steeda Springs Sniper vids http://www.youtube.com/user/01mggt Mineral Grey Club member #14 Military Crew E-4 Predator Crew Chief Holloman

March 14th, 2010, 08:18 PM	#9
RyanGT MM Fanatic 2000 GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 4,258 iTrader: 4 reviews	nope. If it isn't charging it is either your alternator shitting out. Or you didn't plug it in. Did you rev it when it on? Also, try holding your positive lead on the alternator positive, then find your own ground (block, radiator, w/e). See if you get a higher rating. __________________ 2000 Black convertible GT: KB 15psi, and other goodies... 1971 Datsun 240 z: Header and rebuilt motor. (The DD)

March 14th, 2010, 08:45 PM	#10
01MGGT Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alamogordo NM Holloman AFB Posts: 1,200 iTrader: 0 reviews	I reved it and al that happened was the voltage dropped. It is plugged in. Is there anyway to test ohms or anything on that connector before I goto the parts store and drop 220 bucks on an alternator? __________________ 375hp 380tq Vortech v1 7.5 psi CMS stg1 Cams 75mm TB/Plenum Flows O/R X AFM MrFreeze Meth Steeda Springs Sniper vids http://www.youtube.com/user/01mggt Mineral Grey Club member #14 Military Crew E-4 Predator Crew Chief Holloman

March 15th, 2010, 12:04 AM	#11
01MGGT Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alamogordo NM Holloman AFB Posts: 1,200 iTrader: 0 reviews	tested the connector from harness to alternator and it was good so I replaced alternator. All good now after 213 bucks! For a damn reman! Ford can't build alternators or powersteering pumps worth a shit. Same goes for door lock actuators __________________ 375hp 380tq Vortech v1 7.5 psi CMS stg1 Cams 75mm TB/Plenum Flows O/R X AFM MrFreeze Meth Steeda Springs Sniper vids http://www.youtube.com/user/01mggt Mineral Grey Club member #14 Military Crew E-4 Predator Crew Chief Holloman

March 15th, 2010, 12:07 AM	#12
BakerFX4 I Post Entirely Way Too Much Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,607 iTrader: 14 reviews	+1 on the actuators! I had to replace 2 of them in my 04f150 and need to do the ones in the car. __________________

March 15th, 2010, 12:25 AM	#13
01MGGT Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alamogordo NM Holloman AFB Posts: 1,200 iTrader: 0 reviews	lol I had one go out at 52k __________________ 375hp 380tq Vortech v1 7.5 psi CMS stg1 Cams 75mm TB/Plenum Flows O/R X AFM MrFreeze Meth Steeda Springs Sniper vids http://www.youtube.com/user/01mggt Mineral Grey Club member #14 Military Crew E-4 Predator Crew Chief Holloman

March 15th, 2010, 12:59 AM	#15
Huxley Regular 2001 Mustang GT N/A Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 458 iTrader: 1 reviews	213 bucks for a reman alt? I can get a new one for 180 from Autozone >_> Btw, Ford have external voltage regulators. So he could have just spent about 20 bucks to replace the piece and see if that was the problem. Last edited by Huxley; March 15th, 2010 at 01:03 AM.

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