Christmas lights in March?

[mattski]

Nah, its just my idiot lights coming on suddenly today. Does this sound like the alternator failing? How can I test without going to Autozone (we do not have any nearby, Randy).

My SVX is a 97 with 63k so I can't get codes from the computer.

My extended warranty will cover this so I will probably just take it to the dealer to fix.

Can this be anything else?

Thanks,

Matt

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by mattski
Nah, its just my idiot lights coming on suddenly today. Does this sound like the alternator failing? How can I test without going to Autozone (we do not have any nearby, Randy).

My SVX is a 97 with 63k so I can't get codes from the computer.

My extended warranty will cover this so I will probably just take it to the dealer to fix.

Can this be anything else?

Thanks,

Matt

Then, take it to Advance Auto!

You could try checking the connector atop your alternator for corrosion. Also, pull the battery terminals and give 'em a good cleaning. Those are good places to start.

<mumbling> Don't have an Autozone nearby. Bah!

[benebob]

If you have a multimeter you can test the voltage the alternator is putting out. I THINK it should be around 14.5 volts at 3000 rpm. Just touch the red to the back of the post and then the black to the ground have a friend take it up to 3000rpm (in park of course). New alt. is pricey so you may just want to get it rebuilt should that be the problem. Its a mitsubishi alternator so parts aren't real tough to get. You're looking at $100-150 for a rebuilt. Oh yeah, chances are good it is your alternator. Bad batteries can do the same thing sometimes.

[svxistentialist]

I think the bearings wear out in the alternator. It may not need a full rebuild. A good auto rewind shop should be able to check for you.

Joe

[mohrds]

I've had three SVX alternators rebuilt (from three different cars) and all of them had the stator go open. None of them needed new diodes or regulators. They do change the bearings as a standard rebuild since they have a medium life span.

Doug

[LarryIII]

Matski,

Contact John Shotsky on the Yahoo SVX Group site. He is the moderator and is very very familiar with the SVX electricals.
He is on the west coast.

[mattski]

The connection at the alternator was a bit loose. I thightened it and so far no mor Chrismas lights. I did notice that the connection was hot. I had done the alternator mod and there is a 4 gauge wire going directly to the battery. This morning after a 30 minute drive to work I checked the connection and it is still hot. I will take it apart, clean all the contact surfaces and see what happens.

Matt

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by mattski
The connection at the alternator was a bit loose. I thightened it and so far no mor Chrismas lights. I did notice that the connection was hot. I had done the alternator mod and there is a 4 gauge wire going directly to the battery. This morning after a 30 minute drive to work I checked the connection and it is still hot. I will take it apart, clean all the contact surfaces and see what happens.

Matt

"Patience" developed an intermittent starting problem. I checked the "modded" ground (from the neg terminal to the A/C bracket) and it was slightly loose. Tightened it, and no more troubles.

Hope all works out for you.

[Trevor]

Some alternators have the connection in the form of a bolt running from the inside, but not sure about the SVX, with a lock nut on the outside. If this nut is at all loose the internal connection will be sad and will cause the bolt to heat up.

Randy, if tightening a modded ground fixed the problem this proves that the orginal ground is US. I am sure that half of the mods reported are simply by passing an existing fault in making improvements such as lights not dimming at idle etc. Nothing like this will occur if everything original is 100% and the alternator wiring will remain protected with a fuse, good news in the event of a frontal collision.