alternator problem, please come in!

[Mike92Silver]

hey guys, first off, i have a squeaky belt from the alternator, im sure its the belt cause when i put dressing on it, it quiets down, however, tonight i started my car, and when i turned on the lights, they all blinked for a split sec, the anti lock light stayed on, so as im backing out, the anti lock goes off and the cd player shuts off as well for a split second the same time the light goes off. And now at idle, the car has trouble kinda idling and the lights are really dimming! Now, is it a regulator, alternator, could it be a bad belt? didnt get alternator or battery light. What do u guys think?

Mike
92 SHO

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Do the '92's have the internal or external regulator??? If it's external, you might be able to get away with just changing that. Remove the belt and spin the alt. by hand to see if there is any bearing noise.

 

[rangerj]

Mike,

I think Auto Zone will test the alternator for free or a small fee. If I remember correctly Sears Auto will test an alternator (the charging system) for $10 to $15.

Before you spend any money take the time to clean the battery terminals, and all the grounds. The large ground cable from the battery is especially important.

Then remove the fuses one at a time and clean the metal spades that plug into the fuse box slot. Clean the spade with a little piece of fine sand paper, such as 600 wet/dry sandpaper, or a fine emory board (nail file).

After 11 years the metal part of the fuse gets a thin film of corrosion on them which inhibits contact. At least up here in the great friged, damp, salty, North it does.

If your belt is squeling it most likely needs to be adjusted tighter. rangerj

 

[scotts93sho]

Sounds like what happened to my 93. One night on the way home from work, the lights started flickering, climate control turned on and off at its will, no radio and the wipers hardly worked (my luck it was raining and night-time). As it turned out, the altenator just flat out died and I was sucking on the battery only. Most places should test if for free to see if it is dead.

 

[shoinoff95]

I had the climate control and my stereo turn off one night after I had gotten my alternator replaced. It turns out that it was the plug connector on the alternator. One of the wires had broke off and I had to get it soddered back on. But it sounds like it is either your alternator or your connector.