First real headache

[OmMEGGA]

Drove my SHO from Dallas to Galveston for few days. The trip went perfect but once I left Galveston about 150 miles in to the trip the TC and Battery light came on (My aftermarket voltmeter was reading 0v at 75mph) I drove like this for about 10 miles. My turn signals or radio were not working during this time. As soon as I pulled to the gas station car died. Batter was drained and I had to jump start it. After jump start, it was reading about 13.2-13 volts and I drove like this for another 130 miles without any problems. As I was approaching my house the voltage was slowly dropping to 11v and sometimes I would shoot back to 13v.

Alternator?


Seems like for all 4 weeks I have this car, I've never seen more than 13.5 volts on the gauge and I was told that the alternator is "about 2 years old"... it does look pretty new.

I have the battery relocated to the trunk so maybe short circuit somewhere?

 

[Bob Gervais]

Check your battery cable connections, and also the voltmeter connections. A lot of parts stores will charge/test batteries, wouldn't hurt to have it checked out.

As far as the alternator goes, it seems as though a lot of people have had trouble with rebuilt units from the chain parts stores. If my alternator crapped out tomorrow, I'd be taking it to a rebuilder, or source a good used OEM unit.

 

[SHOtime2511]

^This
Many people go through 3-4 reman units before getting a good one.

 

[OmMEGGA]

Alternator is putting out about 11.8v at idle and it doesn't change much if you rev it up. Gauge was accurate.

I need an alternator tomorrow. Any idea what will be a good place to buy one from? RockAuto has them but next day shipping would **** me...

 

[OmMEGGA]

Alright guys I fixed the problem. I did the infamous negative pull cable move and the car stayed on. Checked the volts at the alternator and it was putting 14.3 (11.8 with both cables on) I got the more beefier battery from my vulcan, cleaned all the connections (they were nasty) and I hooked everything up. Started her up and 14v on the gauge and battery!!!!!! Woohhoooo! I'm a happy camper!

 

[zblackbeast]

I work advance auto, and when I do test for a poor alternator I also bring out my wire brush and tools to check the connections and the grounds. I've saved I can't even remember how many cars by simply cleaning and tightening connections.

 

[Bob Gervais]

So is the alternator still bad? Where did you check for alternator output?

 

[OmMEGGA]

So is the alternator still bad? Where did you check for alternator output?

No alternator is just fine. Connection were dirty... and I mean very dirty. Cleaned that up, I put better battery and I'm getting constant 14v on the idle now.

 

[OmMEGGA]

Well I'm done with this pile of crap. Turned on the car this morning and I was greeted with wonderful grinding noise from the timing belt cover. Tensioner for sure. This car gave me more trouble in the first month than my Vulcan did in 4 years of total abuse. Also, my voltage is dropping again.

-Leaking coolant
-Grinding noise under timing belt cover
-Electrical problem
-Needs Full upper 60K ( was gonna start it tomorrow but thinking 'bout it)
-Lots of work on the front end
-Leaking oil


In another words, money pit. All these problems started happening about 2 weeks after I got the car

 

[Bob Gervais]

It's not a money pit, it's an old car. Keep it and fix it, burn it to the ground, sell it, whatever. Don't get ****** because you bought an old car that needs work.

 

[KyngofPop]

Drove my SHO from Dallas to Galveston for few days. The trip went perfect but once I left Galveston about 150 miles in to the trip the TC and Battery light came on I would shoot back to 13v

What's a TC light?

 

[OmMEGGA]

traction control

 

[Bob Gervais]

Wait. What?

 

[OmMEGGA]

or was that ABS? lol I got confused...

anyways, I'm sitting here and debating if I should I keep it or flip it. Part of me says get rid of that money pit and the other says, fix it and have fun. If I keep it I might as well completely overhaul the engine. Ahhh, decisions...

 

[luigisho]

Did you get the alt tested? Dirty connections or corrosion? The cables could be corroded under the jacketing.

 

[Shovert]

I have one autoparts place that I will not buy from now because of "rebuilt" alternators. I put 4 in 2 years in my 2.3 Mustang. One the pulley came off. Shreaded hoodliner and belt. I now have a used 3G on it. Like already mentioned I would take to a rebuilder or trust a old used one. Maurice

 

[OmMEGGA]

No, the connection under the jacket looked like new. I got the alternator tested and it failed. I'm driving my SLO now and I made a decision to keep the money pit. I'll be starting to work on it sometime next month. Full front and upper 60K. My heart sinks when I see it just sitting there. I'm just not gonna give up on that [email protected] that easily...

 

[greenbeanmtx]

Dont give up yet. If these cars aren't maintained just right, they will let you know about it. I've had 6 of them and all have treated me well provided I gave them the same treatment in return. I'm just down I35 from you. If the car hasn't had a once over, I'd call Tony Huerta in Dallas and have him do a once over on it. The car will be as reliable as a new car after he works his magic on it. His website is northtexasperformance.com i believe . He has kept all the shos in north texas going for years. He is active on this forum as well. I have owned several high end cars myself and currently have my wife in a e90 bmw 330i sport for that matter, and my current sho will hang just fine with all of them thanks to its prior maintenance. They are fantastic cars.....just need a little love here and there.

 

[OmMEGGA]

Dont give up yet. If these cars aren't maintained just right, they will let you know about it. I've had 6 of them and all have treated me well provided I gave them the same treatment in return. I'm just down I35 from you. If the car hasn't had a once over, I'd call Tony Huerta in Dallas and have him do a once over on it. The car will be as reliable as a new car after he works his magic on it. His website is northtexasperformance.com i believe . He has kept all the shos in north texas going for years. He is active on this forum as well. I have owned several high end cars myself and currently have my wife in a e90 bmw 330i sport for that matter, and my current sho will hang just fine with all of them thanks to its prior maintenance. They are fantastic cars.....just need a little love here and there.

Yeah, I have heard about him. Might as well let him work on the car. Any idea what is his price for full 60K? I have a budget of about $1500 give it or take few hundred.

 

[greenbeanmtx]

Yeah, I have heard about him. Might as well let him work on the car. Any idea what is his price for full 60K? I have a budget of about $1500 give it or take few hundred.

I haven't got a clue what the going rate is these days. I'd shoot him an email. He knows these cars like the back of his hand. He'd get you all fixed up.