Electrical Guru's...... Please Help :-/

[GreenMarine]

Hey guys, long time no see.... I have been (and still am) very busy with work and college and have almost no time to work on the SVX or the Rabbit anymore. That said, let me get down to the problem that I am having.... Some of you will remember me posting something like this alittle earlier this year (August)...

-My dash lights (Brake, Battery, ABS, and stoplight)all come on and stay on.... It takes about 15 - 20 minutes, but they will go off eventually... However, on a long trip they sometimes come back on... (Usually when they are on the alternator belt is squealing)...
-At times my interior lights will dim... When this happens, usually the alternator belt starts squealing...
-Sometimes when the alternator belt starts squealing, I get intermittent Powersteering (liike it is pulsing....)
-If I turn on the Climate control, I can see my interior lights dim and the belt usually starts squealing again...
-When the belt is squealing, I notice that the car seems to be down on power alittle, When it stops squealing the car seems more powerful than before....
-HERE IS THE BIG ONE... I have had this problem for a while now... Sometimes when downshifting (slowing down for a stoplight) the car will Stall or come VERY close to stalling... The Tach drops below the idle line and then returns to idle or actually stalls out... This seems to be VERY common when the interior lights are "dimmed" (problem above)...

*!* I have broken one alternator belt so far.... I fear that this one is very close to breaking too... I know simply replacing the belt will work for a while, but I don't want to "cover up" the problem... I want to find it and fix it*!*

Does anyone have any input for me?? ANyone have a wiring diagram for the whole car??

Thanks very much guys

[huck369]

Chris,
It sounds like a dieing Alternator to me....

[intelisevil]

I agree huck369.

To be more specific, it sounds like bearings in the alternator are freezing up causing the alternator to slow down or stop altogether.

That would preatty much explain all of your symptoms.

Alt. freezes, belt slips and wears out.

Alt. freezes, belt doesn't completely slip at low RPMs, engine stalls.

Alt. freezes, belt slips then grabs then slips, etc., power steering pump would be affected.

Alt. freezes, belt slips alt. isn't charging, lights dim.

I think you get the idea.

I have a '69 Ford truck, had very similar symptoms, smelled rubber burning, popped the hood, Alt. was frozen, belts was slipping and smoking, replaced Alt. and belt. Problem solved. Only about $45 for the truck fix . . .

Good Luck,

[Earthworm]

Since I'm sure you have a one piece crank pulley, that's not separating.

That leaves 4 options:

1. The alternator (as previously mentioned).
2. The belt (as previously mentioned). Have you tried a different brand/style?
3. The powersteering system needs an unusual amount of power.
4. The tensioner pulley bearing is failing.

The belt is only slipping on the crank pulley as both the alternator and steering are affected.

[mohrds]

Originally Posted by Earthworm

Since I'm sure you have a one piece crank pulley, that's not separating.

That leaves 4 options:

1. The alternator (as previously mentioned).
2. The belt (as previously mentioned). Have you tried a different brand/style?
3. The powersteering system needs an unusual amount of power.
4. The tensioner pulley bearing is failing.

The belt is only slipping on the crank pulley as both the alternator and steering are affected.

He took the words right out of my mouth.

Take off the belt and try spinning the three pulleys. The idler and alternator should spin freely. The PS will be a little tough but should turn by hand. If any of them don't, you most likely have found your problem.

Doug

[Earthworm]

Originally Posted by mohrds

He took the words right out of my mouth.

Great minds think alike!