i think my alternator is going...help! my only car to drive!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 11
From: Portland Oregon
i think my alternator is going...help! my only car to drive!
i think my alternator in the 280zxT is going out on me
heres the symtoms
the battery charger light stays on but glows brighter the harder i push on the pedal, and with me pushing on the pedal harder also comes the e-brake light the fuel light and the door light on the dash cluster...now the thing thats throwing me is the rest of the probs or else i'd be sure it was the alternator, and i checked fuses, but the only one that was out was the one for the radio...
so can anyone tell me whats wrong
if anyone could help, i would love ya forever, it's my only car to drive and i have to get to work and school tomorow
heres the symtoms
the battery charger light stays on but glows brighter the harder i push on the pedal, and with me pushing on the pedal harder also comes the e-brake light the fuel light and the door light on the dash cluster...now the thing thats throwing me is the rest of the probs or else i'd be sure it was the alternator, and i checked fuses, but the only one that was out was the one for the radio...
so can anyone tell me whats wrong
if anyone could help, i would love ya forever, it's my only car to drive and i have to get to work and school tomorow
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 11
From: Portland Oregon
my performance is still damn good, it's still driving normally and still has "ummmpf!" but i don't want it to break down in the middle of the freeway when i'm puttin along, how long does it take for an alternator to go completely out?? 'cuz i get paid on the 10th and 15th from both my jobs, but i was going to get a new car...but oh well
Noah~(1981DatsunT)
Noah~(1981DatsunT)
The Evil Twin
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,297
From: Seattle, WA
If you drive for 15 minutes with your lights on and your voltometer stays up near 13 or 14 volts then you're doing good. (for now)
Honestly, it could be as simple as bad connections on your battery. Clean the terminals or spend a few bucks for new power and ground wires. That may help a lot!
...also, I sent you an IM.
Honestly, it could be as simple as bad connections on your battery. Clean the terminals or spend a few bucks for new power and ground wires. That may help a lot!
...also, I sent you an IM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Usually alternator just go, but sometimes they put out enough voltage to keep the car going. I drove from Boise to Pocatello,( 330 Miles) on a bad alternator. I could not use anything in the Z though, no lights or radio or fans otherwise my car ran like crap. I did not have any performance issues either but my gas mileage was crap i went from 25MPG to 8 MPG. When I got her home I had it tested it was putting out just over 9 volts. Luckily you only need 8.5 volts to run the engine. So as for how long will it last could go today or in a year depends on your battery and driving habits.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 11
From: Portland Oregon
well so far the alternator is about 1/2 way out, i got to tired and decided to stop before i messed something up from me being so damn tired, so im havingmy dad help me tomorrow to get it fixed before i head to work. hopefully i'll have it done and get some good news! thanx everyone for your help!
Noah~
Noah~
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,906
From: Saskatoon, SK
well get it tested and see if its bad....
i bought a new one when mine went and put it all in and still same problem so i tought damn it i just spent 150 bux and same problem...it turned out one of my connections was bad (blue wire to the alternator, i dont know what it is) so my dad hooked it up and it was all good....funny thing was i took it first time and he said alternator was good...next time i checked it was bad...
i bought a new one when mine went and put it all in and still same problem so i tought damn it i just spent 150 bux and same problem...it turned out one of my connections was bad (blue wire to the alternator, i dont know what it is) so my dad hooked it up and it was all good....funny thing was i took it first time and he said alternator was good...next time i checked it was bad...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 11
From: Portland Oregon
well the alt is in now, i shoulda gotten it tested first though like skully said 
lol oh well, but it's not doing the same things anymore, it's actin like it used to, i thank all you guys for your help i'll deff come back if i need more 
Noah~
lol oh well, but it's not doing the same things anymore, it's actin like it used to, i thank all you guys for your help i'll deff come back if i need more Noah~
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