Alternator problem

[enygma]

Ok, basically, I didn't know about rewinding alternators until I checked out this message board. Basically, the problem I am having with my alternator, is that I have too much of a drain on my battery itself when in idle. I have a 1995 Mercury Mystique LS 24V 6 cylendar engine. I am running a Rockford MP3 deck in there and have a Jensen 200W amp powering 2 5x7 MB Quart speakers in the door. Now, I don't know if the amp may have had anything to do with it, but my alternater isn't putting out as much juice as it should. Basically, when my car is idled, my battery is being drained. So my alternater isn't working the way it used to and should. Would rewinding the alternator work to remedy this problem, or would I be in the market for a new alternator?

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[SAVAGE SOUND 10+ year member]

is your car doing any thing to show that it is draining? rough idel, stalling, lights dimming...? or do you just see a guage on your dash that dips down when the bass hitts? have you tested the battery or altenator with a DVM?

 

[enygma]

I know for sure it is an alternator problem. It isn't outputing the charge that it used to. If I keep it in idle too long, with or without my stereo on, my car will start to struggle to stay alive. Yes, lights dim as well. Basically, I tried a little test. I popped the hood and turned the car on. I made sure the stereo wasn't running and the headlights and AC were shut off. I disconnected the ground wire from the battery, then the car started struggling to stay alive. Plus, I think there is a humming noise coming from the alternator. I have no problems with lights dimming when the bass hits, because generally, I keep the bass down to minimize distortion. But it sucks if I am stuck in traffic idling for long periods of time because the battery just drains right down, then I have to throw the car into neutral and put the engine to about 2000 RPM to get some charge back into the battery. My car idles anywhere between 700 RPM and 1000 RPM. The battery does charge, but only at a higher RPM. You can't just let the car sit and charge, or else the car will shut down when the battery dies.

 

[bootleg 10+ year member]

Ok taking the negative side of the battery off and interupting the circuit will make any vehicle studder and die so that didn't help you. If your altenator is making a humming noise I would sudgest going and having it tested/replaced/rewound/rebuilt because that probably means your altenator is going out. Also, if you can, turn your system on but don't play anything, like pause it, if you here a wining sound that means something is wrong with it as well. Good Luck.

 

[enygma]

But normally in idle, the battery will charge. So if the battery is charging, there is enough power going to everything else. If I remove the ground the car will still run, but slowly die down. If I increase the RPMs, the car will stay on just fine, even with the ground wire removed from the battery. And yes, I do get a whirring noise. Would it be fixable by just rewinding the alternator? Or would I just have to replace it?

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

i would take your car to an alt. shop and have them check it out and see whats up

 

[LoneRanger 10+ year member]

the alt shop will probably try to sell you a new stock alt, but don't take it. if your system killed your alt once, it will do it again. My suggestion would be to go to mralternator.com and get a nice fat HC alt that will put out all the juice you'll ever need. it's cheaper to buy a new one from them than what you'd be charged to rewind your stock alt in most situations.

 

[Alaxan 5,000+ posts]

Originally posted by LoneRanger the alt shop will probably try to sell you a new stock alt, but don't take it. if your system killed your alt once, it will do it again. My suggestion would be to go to mralternator.com and get a nice fat HC alt that will put out all the juice you'll ever need. it's cheaper to buy a new one from them than what you'd be charged to rewind your stock alt in most situations.

Sorry but the system this guy has is not that much of a deal to kill an alternator. Yes it does sound like the alternator is dieing out, but more than likely not because of a little 200watt Jensen amp and an aftermarket head unit. Stock alternator should be fine unless you have the money for a better one. More than likely the alternator was going out long before the system was installed.

 

[cmbyomamma 10+ year member]

well the stock alternator is 60ampres and i myself have a 200ampre but i got to warn you they are a little pricey.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif