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  #1  
Old 05-15-2003, 11:12 AM
alacrity024
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christmas tree lights and no PS

my car has issues again..

the power steering has been intermittent lately, only working after the car has been running for awhile.. there' s no squealing belt sound, nor is there a smoke smell.. but i get the Alternator Warning Light Combo when i try to crank the wheel, and my battery remains in the red when i'm driving (i have a little guage)

the other day i checked the fluid level--it was a little low so i added some. that solved the problem for about ten minutes.. added a little more with no results.

the next morning i tightened the belt and it worked well for awhile, but last night it started seizing again. the belt is good and tight, almost too tight.. am i losing a pulley somewhere? is my alternator going south??

help me.. i need to know if it's safe to drive my car for the next couple days or not...

-adam
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  #2  
Old 05-15-2003, 12:40 PM
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x-mas tree lights

I'd say its the alternator. Take it out and take it to advance or checkers auto parts (they'll test it for free) Autozone does too but when I took my XT6 alt they couldn't do it b/c their book didn't have the power clip to use in it so they wouldn't test it. You can get one rebuit from a REP. starter and alt shop for $100-$150, a rebuilt one from a factory for $150+ or a used one for about $50.
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Old 05-15-2003, 01:52 PM
alacrity024
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car just died.

i'm almost positive that it IS the alternator..

is removal and replacement pretty straightforward? what is a "REP" shop? there's no Checkers or Advanced Auto nearby but there is an Autozone..

any more advice?

-adam
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Old 05-15-2003, 02:43 PM
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alt

A repritable shop. You can try Autozone and hope that the idiot is willing to figure out which hook-up will work on it. I wouldn't buy one from there though. You'll end up paying an arm and a leg for crap. Granted it'll have a lifetime warranty but it'll still be crap.
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Old 05-15-2003, 06:44 PM
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Removal and replacement is so easy you could do it in the autozone parking lot (or a restaurant parking lot at an svx meet) Make sure to disconnect the battery first if it's your first time - a misplaced wrench will result in a potentially dangerous light show. I agree with benebob - Don't waste your time with an autozone part - get a used or rebuilt suby unit or you'll regret it. Don't be lured in by the lifetime warranty at a parts store unless you plan on exchanging it a number of times.

BTW - benebob - the used alternator is still working great, thanks again.
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  #6  
Old 05-16-2003, 07:23 AM
alacrity024
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there's a rebuild shop about 30 minutes from me.. i called them and the guy working there told me that he didn't see any parts in his catalog for rebuilding an SVX alternator. he told me that he could pull the unit apart and see if it's the brushes, and if that was the cause for failure, he could probably fix it in an hour..

seeing as how i went to a casino for the first time the other night, can anyone give me odds on it being a brush-related problem?

-adam
(still drunk from last night.. god graduation is cool)
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  #7  
Old 05-16-2003, 07:28 AM
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He can fix it. It could be the brushes although I'd think you should just get it rebuilt as it'll be cheaper in the long run. Its a standard Mitsu alternator. He'll be able to get the parts once he has the info on the outside of the alt. Do you trust the guy? A rebuild is only as good as the rebuilder. Make sure he gives a decent warranty of at least a year.
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Old 05-16-2003, 07:32 AM
alacrity024
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honestly i don't know if i trust the guy. i've never heard of him nor have i seen his shop. i only found out about him through the yellow pages. i suppose when i take the alternator there, i'll have a good look around, ask him how long he's been in the biz, etc.

thanks for the quick reply, B

-adam
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  #9  
Old 05-16-2003, 07:42 AM
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alt rebuiler

I'd call my mechanic (or a mechanic you trust) and ask them if they've used the guy in the past. A lot of chain and dealers don't work with local rebuilders but the mom and pop places do so they'd be your best bet. Every alt/starter shop I've been to have been dirty and kinda shady looking as anything so I wouldn't let that scare me away.
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