911! Alternator need assistance chevelle 350

[deeboe78]

I just think my alternator went out. I was driving my car to the Gym this mourning and the lights went, the radio stop playing and the car started making a poping noise. I just replaced the battery two days ago, thinking that was the promblem. Luckily the car stoped once I got on post (Fort Jackson) in the gym parking lot. This is a alternator promblem right? I pluged my phone charger up in the cigerette plug and it still worked. I check the alternator belt, (which comes off way too often) it was on, and not frayed or damaged. Is putting on a alternator somthing I can do fairly easy in the parking lot, or do I need to get a tow truck and take it to a garage shop.

This sucks Christmas is way too close for this. lol

Thanks

SSG D

[hotrdblder]

chances are its the alternator, you should of checked the voltage out put of the alternator before replacing the battery.
the alternator should put out at least 13.5 or higher and most are 14 plus at idle, if its a one wire alternator you will need to wac the throttle to 2500 or so to get it to start charging.
more than likely the battery drained down to the point, that it could barely fire the ignition, my bet is if you try it in a few hrs it will run fine as the new battery will come back to life. but you need someone with a multi meter

[deeboe78]

thanks for the quick reply. yeah I checked the battery voltage it needed to be replaced. Very new to car "Do it youself projects." I did change my intake and carb (thanks to mommywagon and others on the fourm) Will this be fairly easy? I do very well with instructions if you can will give me a quick by the number guide. parts, tools etc.. To get me going. THANKS! Do you have any idea about the poping I heard? I happened right before the car cut off.

[hotrdblder]

the popping is probably your ignition coil not having enough power to fire each plug fully, causing some mis fire
I would start car, use a multi meter on dc volts, and check voltage idling and revving up, after revving up the volts at the batter should not dip below 13.5 if the alt is working properly.
also check volts at back of alternator to rule out a bad connection at the battery(i doubt its that)
you can also pull alternator off and bring to a local parts store where they can test them

[deeboe78]

ok so i went and bought a palladium alternator. Now the steps in puting this thing on? Do I get someone to jump start the car with the new alternator on mines to charge it? I guess my question is how do you charge a alternator, sorry for the elementry questions?

[hotrdblder]

there is no need to charge an alternator, the alternator does the charging, once it is turned a certain rpms

changed loosen alt mount bolts, loosen adjustment bolt and take belt off, unbolt alternator, and install new alternator(install your pulley if needed). once installed, connect wires to back of alternator, install belt and tension.
try to start car, if it starts, your good to go, if not get a jump start from someone.
did they test your old alternator?

[Jim Nilsen]

Remember to take off the ground cable from the battery first. this will eliminate any sparks from ruining the new alternator while removing and replacing it !! It will keep your battery safe too!

Always remember to disconnect the battery anytime you any work on a car that reqires removing and replacing something electrical.

Saftey first.

[shep]

You might as well replace the voltage regulator too. It is on the core support under the headlights on the drivers side just above the horn relay. Probably around $15 and will make sure the alternator does not over charge your new battery.

[deeboe78]

thanks for the advice I will get on it today


SSG D

[deeboe78]

There is a plug on the side of the alternator. The new alternator doesn't have that. What do I do?

Can I take the ground wire off the plug and put it on the alternator or do I need an alternator with that plug?

The old one was a Duralast Alternator.

[hotrdblder]

is the new alternator a 1 wire, or externally regulated? if its 1 wire, don't worry about the plug. but if it is a stock replacement style you will need to get the one with the plug so it can regulate the alt.

[deeboe78]

There are two terminals on the back, one for grounding and one for the battery.

[Procharmo]

The one wire alternator needs just one charging wire. The other wires on your old setup were probably used to sense when to charge and to give an idiot light a (resistance) signal on your dash.
The one wire alternator will charge once it sees 2000rpm or so. Do not earth it, the alternator chassis is earthed to your motor. I left the other wires disconnected/taped up with no issues when changing over to one wire operation. I hope this helps. Experts are welcome to correct me or elaborate!

[deeboe78]

OK i got it working. but the battery seems to be dead. How do I recharge the battery I got running outside now. But if I turn it off it will not crank back up unless I jump start it. Do I need to drive it? or can it stay stationary for charging

[derekf]

You'll have to rev it over 2000 rpm briefly to "turn on" the alternator, but yes, leaving it running should charge after that.

Have you verified that you are indeed getting juice out of the new alternator?

[deeboe78]

You know after I drove it last night. The batttery was being charge. The reason I can tell is because my alarm remote sensor has a red light that stays lite if the car has juice, doesnt light up at all if it doesnt has juice. and I did'nt need a jump start this mourning. So I drove it this morning to the gym, and no @#@#@#$@ it died again same place lol! So do I need to do more driving to charge it up, I am also assuming the battery is being strain in the process of all this.
I am turning off the engine pre-maturely?
Sssssshhhh camaro 09 please come NOWWWWW!!!!!!!! lol


Thanks guys you got me this far....

SSG D

[deeboe78]

You'll have to rev it over 2000 rpm briefly to "turn on" the alternator, but yes, leaving it running should charge after that.

Have you verified that you are indeed getting juice out of the new alternator?

Oh how do verify derek? with some kind of meter I believe I was told.