Spaz's Electrical Issues

**cmspaz** · 04-14-2009

The problem that was concerning just mysteriously appeared today, then just as mysteriously disappeared after making that post.

So I don't really trust it right now. And I will be damned if I go on this cruise with a chance of my car saying "Screw you, I'm gonna drain your battery completely when you try to start me." If it doesn't do it again, I'll consider it good. Once is admissible, twice makes it a problem. I'll clean my battery terminals for good luck, though.

New PS pump is in, system needs to be bled more because it's still making a racket, but it works and doesn't leak (beyond the first start when I forgot to install the stem o-rings

).

**Kracka** · 04-14-2009

How about a new battery and alternator? Have you gotten either/both tested yet?

**cmspaz** · 04-14-2009

Alternator tested at 100% with the tester my dad's got. Battery tested fine.

As I said on Friday (I think I said it at Uni) the alternator function was intermittent, so I wasn't sure if it was bad. Could be that there's so much ATF on it from the pump that it just couldn't work.

I'll probably take a hose to it tonight or tomorrow and see if that helps, or maybe a car wash...

**Halon** · 04-14-2009

Why not just bring it in somewhere to like an Autozone. I thought they will test Alternators and Batteries for free.

**Kracka** · 04-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halon

Why not just bring it in somewhere to like an Autozone. I thought they will test Alternators and Batteries for free.

Yup, I agree; they do test the stuff for free while its still on your car.

TkrPerformance · 04-14-2009

if the p.s. pump was leaking all over it. just replace it it is dieing

**cmspaz** · 04-14-2009

If I'm replacing it, I need to take a hose to it anyway. I don't think they'll warranty it on parts if it's covered in ATF.

And it tests fine, it just stops working randomly for random lengths of time.

**scheides** · 04-14-2009

do it. get a new battery while you're in there. If nothing else, keep it in your trunk or back seat so when your battery does die you can swap it out then and limp somewhere safe

**Halon** · 04-14-2009

When your dad tested it, did he load it? I'm pretty sure that when a shop/store tests it, they load it down heavily because that's when an intermittently failing Alternator will really show if it's dieing.

TkrPerformance · 04-14-2009

bring it in to be tested. clean it out with brake clean. water will not do much for p.s. fluid. the best way to get a warranty is to clip a wire on the inside of the alt. that way it is just dead

**Kracka** · 04-14-2009

If you replace the alternator, replace the battery at the same time. A bad alternator can wreck a battery, and a bad battery can wreck an alternator.

(posts moved from the cruise thread)

**scheides** · 04-14-2009

Yay spaz's own thread!

+1 on what was said about loading it down; on Friday you showed me the battery was putting out 12v, but as soon as you cranked it it went to only 3. This means dead dead dead battery to me (which it was). How much voltage is on it when cranking on it now?

A//// Guy · 04-14-2009

Replace the alternator.

**Halon** · 04-14-2009

Oh, and gap your friggin spark plugs!

MustGoFaster · 04-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracka

If you replace the alternator, replace the battery at the same time. A bad alternator can wreck a battery, and a bad battery can wreck an alternator.

(posts moved from the cruise thread)

+1 to that!

**cmspaz** · 04-14-2009

Lights were on when the alternator was tested. It charged the battery just fine tonight when I refilled and bled the PS system. I'm going to have it all tested tomorrow, and hopefully get the misfire diagnosed as well.

FattyBoomBatty · 04-15-2009

Wow. I say sell the car and get something reliable, like a conquest.

Oh, and I had an issue with my alternator in the truck. It wouldn't charge the battery. The battery was saveable, but the alternator was done for. A rebuild and 90 bucks later it runs frickin perfect. This is what I recommend you do.

Kevin 1G Drummer · 04-15-2009

Turning the lights on isn't really enough load to determine if a battery is good or junk. You need a proper load tester for that. I say replace your alternator (and don't let PS fluid leak all over it this time) and replace your battery.

**cmspaz** · 04-15-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by FattyBoomBatty

Wow. I say sell the car and get something reliable

Believe me, there is already a plan being set in motion.

I'll be getting everything tested this afternoon, and will probably end up just replacing the alternator, sabotaging it if need be.

**cmspaz** · 04-15-2009

Started it up, tested the alternator, came back at 100%. Drove it around, lights came on, took it back home, tested at 0%. Time for a new one.