shomike
New Member
Hi All.
94 SHO ATX. 89K miles.
I am having some electrical/charging system problems, that I suspect is alternator (and poss. battery), but wanted to run by you guys.
Coming home from work Fri. A/C starts blowing warm. ABS light comes on. At idle A/C control unit freaks out and keeps on power cycling (but still no cold air). Battery light coming on, but not just at idle. Thankfully I made it home (hot day!). Later that night (6-7 hrs later), it's starts/runs ok (though seems to turn over a little slower than normal). Next morning - dead. No cabin lights, no gauges, no noise from under the hood.
Charger-assisted battery (or jump) starts it OK (can remove charger or jump cables and car runs).
Volts measure ~10-12v at the battery when running (depending on level of charge). Unloaded alternator (disconnected output) puts out 13.8v. When motor is running (and alternator connected), disconnecting pos cable from battery croaks it (can hear something click on in alternator right before death). In the 'old' days, this would not **** the motor, but haven't worked much on newer stuff. May be normal for all I know. Does the alternator need some current to work?
Any ways, would you all suggest it's alternator? Or should I look for something else. I think I'll just do the battery anyway, since it's 5 yrs old.
Help?
TIA,
Mike
94 SHO ATX. 89K miles.
I am having some electrical/charging system problems, that I suspect is alternator (and poss. battery), but wanted to run by you guys.
Coming home from work Fri. A/C starts blowing warm. ABS light comes on. At idle A/C control unit freaks out and keeps on power cycling (but still no cold air). Battery light coming on, but not just at idle. Thankfully I made it home (hot day!). Later that night (6-7 hrs later), it's starts/runs ok (though seems to turn over a little slower than normal). Next morning - dead. No cabin lights, no gauges, no noise from under the hood.
Charger-assisted battery (or jump) starts it OK (can remove charger or jump cables and car runs).
Volts measure ~10-12v at the battery when running (depending on level of charge). Unloaded alternator (disconnected output) puts out 13.8v. When motor is running (and alternator connected), disconnecting pos cable from battery croaks it (can hear something click on in alternator right before death). In the 'old' days, this would not **** the motor, but haven't worked much on newer stuff. May be normal for all I know. Does the alternator need some current to work?
Any ways, would you all suggest it's alternator? Or should I look for something else. I think I'll just do the battery anyway, since it's 5 yrs old.
Help?
TIA,
Mike
