thought was alternator, but now i duon't know...
 

The SVX has not been starting up lately, so yesterday i took it to Advance Auto Parts for a bettery/Alternator check. The alternator was showing 12.5 but the guy said it was dead anyway. So I took my alternator to a Mechanic to have it rebult, he rebuilds them all the time, he said there was nothing wrong with it!!!, Now I am even more confused......anybody know what the problem could be? The battery just doesn't seem to be charging....:confused:

Re: thought was alternator, but now i duon't know...
 

...or maybe it just won't hold a charge? How old is it? Terminals and cables clean and in good shape? Do electrical accessories seem to work normally?


dcb

the battery is only about a month old, and the connecting clamps were just replaced, they were old and torn.

Did you ever figure out whether or not your main drive pulley is slipping? I really think that's key.


dcb

it seems to be working allright, but could that be a reason the alternator isn't charging the battery?

Yes. If the drive pulley's slipping, the alternator isn't turning fast enough to keep the battery charged. That would also explain the heavy low-speed steering you mentioned in the other thread.


dcb

ok, thanks for all of you help in all of these threads, is there any test that i can do to make sure that this is really the problem, i'd prbly buy Dayle's underdrive pulley system, but I don't want to spend 140.00 and find out that it's something else........i'm sure you know what i mean
:D

The voltage measured across the battery should be 14V with the car running. If it's only 12.5V then it's not charging. Changing engine RPM should show a difference in the voltage. If it doesn't then the alternator is likely dead (possible voltage regulator).

I've had mine bench test fine but it was still causing problems. They replaced the voltage regulator and now everything is fine.

I'd think you'd be able to tell if the accessories aren't turning as they should. Have someone cycle the AC on-and-off while you watch the belts and drive pulley. Have 'em rev the engine. Is there any sort of squealing sound coming from the pulley area? I understand that the SVX drive pulley can be a pain and that getting it torqued to spec takes some doing, and from what you described in your earlier thread, with belts "turning slowly" and looking "weird," there's just not much else that could cause such a problem. And again, this would explain your heavy steering/not charging symptoms.

Maybe you should do a search on the topic and/or browse the how-to's. Good luck finding the trouble.


dcb

do you have the part # for this?

I took the pulley assembly apart again, and it seems like I put the A/C idler pulley together wrong, causing the slow moving belts i had described in an earlier thread, thanks - Dcarbb

Closest I can come up with is the Rectifier 23830AA060 for $150.91 on subaruparts.com.

Looks to be cheaper to just get it rebuilt. Just make sure your alternator is even turning with the problems you describe.

is that the part number for the Voltage Regulator?

There's nothing there that actually says voltage regulator that I saw.

Reference Link

I would recommend getting it rebuilt w/warranty.

Voltage regulator is probably part of the Rectifier.

You're welcome. The thing is, that would have no effect on the charging system. What about the alternator/PS belt; are you sure it's installed properly?


dcb

i've taken the entire belt system apart now, going to re-install the entire thing today, after I get back from the Subaru Dealership with some diagrams and the like. Hopefully, the mechanic i know that works there will be able to come by and take a look at the Crank Pulley.