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Electrical issue? -- defective/dying alternators
Hi, I have lurked here (I'm generally a reserved sort) but never have never posted until now.
I apologize if this has been covered before -- I've done a search and found some discussions regarding alternators and unknown electrical issues, but nothing on the precise issue I am facing (other than a brief reference by someone that they had similar issues and decided to just sell the car). Bottom line is my daughter's 94 Laguna Blue FWD died on her on the highway yesterday coming back from college, approx. 100 miles from home. This was my main car for many years (96-07) and has been (used to be?) very reliable -- it goes without saying I would not have let my daughter drive it to and from school if I thought that anything had changed in that respect. However, in March '09, the car died and needed a new alternator. It was replaced, but then proceeded to last less than a month. The shop said it was a defective component and had an "open diode," I believe. They replaced it again. I thought that we were good to go, and had peace of mind with my daughter driving the car. Now, just over a year later, it appears that the second alternator (installed 4/09) went bad as well. Both alternators were Bosches. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be the cause of this, aside from bad luck with replacement alternators? Does the SVX develop a phantom electrical issue that kills alternators well before their time? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. I am leery of my daughter driving the car without precisely identifying the issue. Thanks in advance, Graham |
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Re: Electrical issue? -- defective/dying alternators
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Special Thanks to Our Friends and Sponsors: * http://www.alcyone.org.uk/ssm http://www.PhenixWheels.com http://www.dba.com.au/ http://www.ClassicSoftTrim.com http://ToyoTires.com/tire/pattern/versado-lx Gillman Subaru of Houston "QuickChange" http://www.TransGo.com/ http://www.PlanetSVX.com Bontrager Works, '92 Subaru SVX LS-L Claret ORIGINAL OWNER '92 LS-L Pearl~ '92 LS Pearl~ '92 LS-L Teal~ '92 LS-L Silver~ '95 LSi Polo~ '92 JDM Alcyone SVX Version-L 4WS Pearl~ http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54143 '92 JDM Alcyone SVX Version-L 4WS Ebony~ http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54117 |
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Re: Electrical issue? -- defective/dying alternators
Where were these alternators bought from? If they are the rebuilds from your local auto parts stores with a lifetime warranty, they all have a high failure rate for any car. I went through 3 within 2 months on one of my old GM's. Other people here have had issues with those rebuilds as well.
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Re: Electrical issue? -- defective/dying alternators
Call around and see if Denso alts are available. I would also replace the battery if it load tests at anything less than 85% of the rated CA.
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Chris "A person convinced against their will, is of the same opinion still" New?? Find the downloadable SVX Online Service Manual Here RECOMMENDED READING for newer SVX owners Here some cool info if not fully accurate. Last edited by SoCal LS-L; 05-15-2010 at 04:02 PM. |
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Re: Electrical issue? -- defective/dying alternators
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Bosch reman units have a higher than average failure rate. A lot of them use kits for rebuilding the rectifier bridge/ voltage regulators instead of using new circuit boards. Stay with the Hitachi/ Mitsubishi units. If you want a high-quality reliable alternator, at a great price, you can't do better than this: http://www.maniacelectricmotors.com/13406.html These are rebuilt, one at a time, for our cars, using the best components. High-output 160A units are also available. .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 05-15-2010 at 07:44 PM. |
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Re: Electrical issue? -- defective/dying alternators
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I was in the middle of a vacation when I lost the first one, got lifetime, figuring better internals, one return takes their profit, and one year later, I exchanged it.
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Special Thanks to Our Friends and Sponsors: * http://www.alcyone.org.uk/ssm http://www.PhenixWheels.com http://www.dba.com.au/ http://www.ClassicSoftTrim.com http://ToyoTires.com/tire/pattern/versado-lx Gillman Subaru of Houston "QuickChange" http://www.TransGo.com/ http://www.PlanetSVX.com Bontrager Works, '92 Subaru SVX LS-L Claret ORIGINAL OWNER '92 LS-L Pearl~ '92 LS Pearl~ '92 LS-L Teal~ '92 LS-L Silver~ '95 LSi Polo~ '92 JDM Alcyone SVX Version-L 4WS Pearl~ http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54143 '92 JDM Alcyone SVX Version-L 4WS Ebony~ http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54117 |
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Re: Electrical issue? -- defective/dying alternators
We have these "Maniac Motors" units in our 97 (std rebuild) and my daughters 92 ( HO 160A) for a while now, without problems-
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Cheers! Gordon 1997 Ebony #308 113k "The Black Diva"SOLD 1992 Black over Liquid Silver 152k SOLD 1992 Ebony 251k 444 SOLD 1999 Silver SLK230 134k SOLD 1997 Green Outback 137k SOLD 2013 Honda Accord I4 SOLD 2015 Subaru Crosstrek 30k 2018 Tesla M3 30k |
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Re: Electrical issue? -- defective/dying alternators
Thanks for the very helpful information! Looks like Maniac is the way to go.
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Re: Electrical issue? -- defective/dying alternators
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Keith |
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