Is my alternator gone?

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:23 pm

Hi guys,
I was just taking the car for a spin to charge the battery a bit.
Got out of the drive way, saw Shue on the corner, turned right to the street, and strange noise started to come out from the front, also battery light turned on.
Went straight back home.
Disconnected the battery, cleaned the terminals, left it for an hour to clean the error codes.
Still same, battery light is slightly on. I am saying slightly because the light is not full red, it is kinda %50 bright.
The noise is coming from engine bay, incresing with the rpm.

My first tought is to blame the alternator, but I dont have the funny smell that I always hear when the alternator packes up, also I never heard the battery light coming on.

What do you think?

Current battery is brand new, I seriously mean less than 20 hours, however, it has run out of charge once, due to my car was in the body shop getting repaired and not started for 2 months, so all the charge was gone when we tried to start first time again.
Battery is reading 11.53v when disconnected completely, just tried to start the car for a short time, and it readys 11.57 when engine running, it seem that the charge was increasing slowly when the engine was running.

Can I use the car like this? I gotto take it to Autosalon on Friday, and dont have time to take it to service.

Thanks for your help

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:35 pm

Also, I want to blame Shue's Evil Eye for this

I think he liked the new condition of the FTO

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:58 pm

ohh, I just remembered that I have bought a 3year warranty with the car,
All electrical components and alternator fully covered in it,
My lucky day, I better get those amplifiers now, wont feel bad

What do you think is the problem?

bobz · Post by **bobz** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:02 pm

Did you check that the fanbelt is still on the alternator?

BobZ

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:11 am

bobz wrote:Did you check that the fanbelt is still on the alternator?

BobZ

I just checked it,
The belt is still on the alternator, and both the belt and the alternator is turning.
Both belts are less than a year old.

Chiangstar · Post by **Chiangstar** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:27 pm

im pretty sure it is the alternator... i had a similar thing happen about 2 years ago. brake light was dim and then got brighter with higher rpm. got the alternator reconditioned and it was good as new

simon

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:39 pm

Thanks Simon, thats what I think as well.
Do you think I can drive the car still?

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 6:06 pm

U can still drive the car, but not for long though.

akuma3 · Post by **akuma3** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 6:35 pm

What's with everyone's alternator nowdays? I mean i just replace mine and everyone else alternator seems to die straight after

Chiangstar · Post by **Chiangstar** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:40 pm

you started a trend

i think they have a certain life... and since most of the fto's are of similar ages, theyre all starting to pack it in

simon

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:03 pm

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to leave the car to exhibition building tonight at 8pm for Autosalon, currently 6pm.
Just come home and though of warming the engine before I go.
Car has started and warmed up. So, I turned it off, and trried to turn it on again.
No Good!!!!!!!
Battery went flat already. Since the alternator failed I had warmed the car about 3 more times as well.

I am really concern at the moment how will i get to Autosalon...

I got another car, which I immediately replaced the batteries and tried to charge the flat one by driving it around 20 mins.

My question is, if my car starts with this battery can I drive for around 15kms, I wont turn off the engine.
Obviously alternator is not charging the battery at all.
However not sure if the car is using the battery power to run continuously or in start only?

Please help urgently.

I need help!!!!!!

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:06 pm

if its making noises i would think its alternator but check the fusable link in the engine bay fuse box first, could be something simple.

but it woulnt be hard to source an alternator

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:11 pm

Can I drive it without getting stuck on the traffic for 15kms?
Thats my only concern, cant care any less about the alternator or battery at the moment, need to get to Autosalon.

I am assuming once I turn the ignition off, the battery will be dead again.
But not sure if it will die on me on the road, because if the car is using the battery and running it flat, then die!!!

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:19 pm

maybe 5 mins at the most, you could try not running everything electrical in your car and take a spare battery and a portable battery charger. first giveaway is the dials stop working... check the fuse though.... its the 80A one with a clear window, see if the wire in the window is broken

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:23 pm

SchumieFan wrote:maybe 5 mins at the most, you could try not running everything electrical in your car and take a spare battery and a portable battery charger. first giveaway is the dials stop working... check the fuse though.... its the 80A one with a clear window, see if the wire in the window is broken

Damn!
This is at least 30mins trip...
Nothing like spare battery or charger can handle than.....

Where is this fuse? in the fuse box?

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:27 pm

The fuse is OK, still in good condition

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:29 pm

yeah fuse is in bottom right cornor of engine bay fuse box, black with a window in the top of it.

well if its not your fuse then its the bad news and your alternator is fooked.... go get another 1

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:30 pm

Think, Think, Think.....
How else I can get there .........

Tow truck, friend towing.......?

any idea?

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:46 pm

your gonna get a mate to tow your car to autosalon and back? ha! classic!

thank your lucky stars you havnt got a broken valve guide!!!!!

btw, dont bloody tow it, youll f**k the gearbox next

mxysxy · Post by **mxysxy** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:53 pm

SchumieFan wrote:your gonna get a mate to tow your car to autosalon and back? ha! classic!

hahha, I am desparate!!!

Damn!!! Damn!!! Damn!!! all that preperation, waxing, cleaning,
I even deliminated the headlights for this show...
Damn!!! Damn!!! Damn!!!