Got a charging problem

alegator78 · 01-15-2003

OK, heres the situation. I was driving to work the other day and I was siting at the light and all of a sudden all my gauges went dead and the rpm gauge started jumping. Batt volts went to almost nothing so i figured it was the batt or alternator. Went to leave on lunch and it was dead. It took a couple of trys jumping for it to crank but it did and the volts were right above the middle line like they always were so i figured it was just a loose wire. Well on the way home it did it again but the amp light came on and stayed on. I shut the car off and it wouldn't crank. Amp light was still on but I could smell something kinda like something burning but no smoke. Got a jump and left it running but it died after about 5 minutes. I got a new alternator and still wouldn't stay charged. Oh the burning smell was coming from the old alt! SO went and got a new batt and it stayed charged but now it doesn't charge up all the way. The alt is keeping it charged but not lie it should. The alt is from autozone and it is a VALUCRAFT
75 AMP ALTERNATOR. Replaced and wiring harness with the one it came with. When the lights are on you can tell everyhing is dim like the dash lights and headlights and interior lights. I have a amp hooked up but its not on. I went by autozone and had them test the charging system and the guy said it was charging but not near enough. He told me to go to the ohter store and have them test it cause his machine was some times off. So i did and they say its fine. HAHA yeah right. Do you guys have any ideas of what it could be? Loose wire, bad ground some where? Alternator no good? Anything would help!! oh it is a 87 Mustang Gt 5.0!! Thanks guys!

GT50 · 01-15-2003

All of these are possibilities, loose wire, corroded ground or loose, defective alternator. The voltage output should be around 14.3 to 14.5 volts. There is no such thing as its almost charging. Either it is or it isn't. Take it back and have them double check the output. Look for your self if you can and see if the voltage is what i mentioned.

alegator78 · 01-15-2003

Sorry shouldn't have said almost. Its charing but not enough. I had them check it out off and on the car. On the car one guy said yes it was but not enough and off the car the guy said it was putting out 14 v. Could it be that its just not big enough and I should go for like a 130amp and get it over with. We were thinking that the new batt we put in could be too big. I had a 575 in it before and put a 1000 in. Thanks in advance!!

Monkey Boy · 01-15-2003

Your first mistake was buying an alternator from Auto Zone.

wagstdy · 01-16-2003

Can you take it to a store other than Autozone and have them check it? Or can you take it to a 3rd Autozone and play dumb? Don't tell them you just bought that alternator from Autozone otherwise they're likely to tell you that it works.

Do you have underdrive pulley's? If you do, that could cause dim lights at idle.

Do you have a voltmeter so you can check for yourself what the voltage is like Frank is suggesting. Check it with the car off (approx 12v) with the car idling and above idle (approx 14.3v).

Are your battery terminals clean and tight?

You might also consider following the ground wire from the battery to where it bolts to the engine and take it off and clean the surfaces.

94stang · 01-16-2003

sounds like a crappy rebuilt alt.

RobStang · 01-24-2003

Im on my 3rd warrantied alternater from autozone.

nestle_2000 · 01-24-2003

SN95 Alternator! Can't go wrong with it!

YardSpecial · 01-24-2003

I went to a Alternator Rebuilder.

$42 dollars for Parts and Labor!!!! U just get the Dirty Alt Back!!! LOL

Best money Spent!! I agree with the other Members, Lousy rebuild!!

If U got the Money, these are the BEST!!!

http://www.pa-performance.com/

blueovalguy · 3 Weeks Ago

Don't buy alternators or starters from Autozone. 9 out of 10 of them are junk