Help! need service manul or advice

[WRX_SVXGirl]

Ok so last wednesday my car decieded to die. it wouldnt turn over and would just click like it was the starter. well i got to work today and tried to start it and it started, but all my dash lights lit up and flashed for a few moments before going on and a high pitched squeeking came from the engine, once i have been hearing for a while. After reaving the engine a few times it stopped and every thing ran normal. thinking it was just a lucky fluke i turned the car off and started it again, this time the dask lit up, car stuted and abruptly stopped. So i turned the key one more time and it hesitated a moment then started, same high pitch squeek that went away after a few reavs.

then I went and got the hubby, i left the car running while i did this. i turned the car off and back on, no problems. let it run for a few minutes, squeek was still there, then turned it off and back on again. again its started fine.

the hubby thinks its an electrical problem, so if anyone can get me a service manual for a 1993 SVX for the electrical that would hwlp or come up with a different diagnosis that would be helpful too.

[benebob]

Check your belts? Can't think of anything else that would make a high pitched squeak. Also check your crank pulley. Actually take white chalk across it (over the rubber center cusion. They like to seperate and then slip although it is more likely the ac belt that causes the problems since there is very little drag with the alt.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by WRX_SVXGirl

Ok so last wednesday my car decieded to die. it wouldnt turn over and would just click like it was the starter. well i got to work today and tried to start it and it started, but all my dash lights lit up and flashed for a few moments before going on and a high pitched squeeking came from the engine, once i have been hearing for a while. After reaving the engine a few times it stopped and every thing ran normal. thinking it was just a lucky fluke i turned the car off and started it again, this time the dask lit up, car stuted and abruptly stopped. So i turned the key one more time and it hesitated a moment then started, same high pitch squeek that went away after a few reavs.

then I went and got the hubby, i left the car running while i did this. i turned the car off and back on, no problems. let it run for a few minutes, squeek was still there, then turned it off and back on again. again its started fine.

the hubby thinks its an electrical problem, so if anyone can get me a service manual for a 1993 SVX for the electrical that would hwlp or come up with a different diagnosis that would be helpful too.

Amanda, checking that the belts are on tight enough is the first port of call.

As your problem appears to be electrical, try the belt driving the alternator. Half way along between the pulleys firmly catch the belt and try to turn it [naturally with the engine stopped]. It should be possible to turn it about 90 degrees. If you can turn it more than this it's too loose.

The lights coming on at the dashboard is usually the indicator you need a new or refurb alternator. This possibility may be reinforced by the fact you could not start the car, possibly the alternator was not charging the battery.

You should get this checked by an auto electrician pretty soon, or the car will leave you stranded someplace.

Joe

[benebob]

Yeah I agree with Joe that you shouldn't be driving it. Don't get raped (like virtually everyone else on here does) though on a remaned alternator. You can remove yours fairly easily and have it rebuilt for 2/3 the cost of a remaned with 7/3 the quality that you won't get from an Indian sweat shop. Usually around $125ish but can be as low as $80 depending on labor rates where your at. I still think you need to make sure that the crank pulley isn't having issues. Its a simply chalk test and let it run. If when you come back the line isn't straight then you got a problem. Also, look to see if it is "jumping". They tend to want to wabble a bit when they get old (which again could be causing your problem). Alternator is cheaper though. You can pull it (make sure you disconnect the battery and give it a FULL CHARGE unless you wanna cook your new alternator too) then take it to autozone or advance auto and they will test it for you in front of you. Of course a Starter/alternator rebuild shop can do it too (which is where I'd take it if it is bad). I'm sure you have a couple in your phone book. Usually under starter/alter.

My money is on simply a bad belt (or loose belt).

[WRX_SVXGirl]

thank for the advice

1. we have checked the belts but it could very well be that

2. we tried to jump the car, and it wouldn't jump, so its definately not the battery.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by WRX_SVXGirl

thank for the advice

1. we have checked the belts but it could very well be that

2. we tried to jump the car, and it wouldn't jump, so its definately not the battery.

OK.

That squeeking sound you heard MAY have been a bed bearing on the alternator, or more likely it could be the carbon brushes wearing down to the metal.

Either way the best advice may be to take the alternator off like benebob says, and bring it to an electrical rewind shop or auto electrician shop. They will check it. They will probably find it's cooked, and can fix it for you.

Joe

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by WRX_SVXGirl

thank for the advice

2. we tried to jump the car, and it wouldn't jump, so its definately not the battery.

Greetings Amanda, nice to have name to address.

Is it that the car will not now start, even when a second battery is connected? Please advise further on this aspect of the problem, as it will help with a diagnosis.

[WRX_SVXGirl]

Originally Posted by Trevor

Greetings Amanda, nice to have name to address.

Is it that the car will not now start, even when a second battery is connected? Please advise further on this aspect of the problem, as it will help with a diagnosis.

well its running fine now and the hubby had a chance to look at it and think its just because a belt is lose but then again he also thinks there is something electrical.

[subarufamily]

check belts and output of altenator I had a similar issue and it was the alt. the bushings had worn off and shorted out the alt which fully drained the battery which makes a jump almost impossible to do w/o a lenghy charge with jumper cables.

[YourConfused]

Around here you can just take your whole car to Advance/Autozone and they can do a simple on the car batt-alt-starter test for you for free. Also make sure you don't have any loose or corroded batt terminals.

[WRX_SVXGirl]

one of the belts was extremely loose its running wya better now that we got it tightened i still maintain that there is something with the alternator, but the squeeking ahs stopped for now. we just have to watch the belts.

i am glad she got her one temper tantrum out for the month.

[svxistentialist]

I'm glad it was the easy fix. The noise you heard could have been the belt slipping.

Keep an eye to it, as alternators do go on strike now and again.

Joe

[benebob]

Originally Posted by WRX_SVXGirl

one of the belts was extremely loose .

Feed your SVX a little more so it doesn't loose so much weight! Glad you're back running nicely. Keep us posted.

[Hondasucks]

Win/Lose, Tight/Loose

Glad ya fixed it :-) We had a Tacoma come into work the other day that had a horrid squealing (was intermittent then was full time), turned out it was one of the idler pulleys that runs on the back side of the timing belt )

[WRX_SVXGirl]

thanks guys. we are definaitely keeping an eye on it. had alittle squeeking this morning just means hubby didnt tighten it enough. or the power steering fluid is low again since i got a leak.

yea hopefully the temper tantrums are over with for now.