Is my alt ready to die?

[pete c]

I have noticed a few times within the last few weeks an occasional momentary flicker of the headlights. The last time it did it I had the defroster blower going full strength and detected a drop in blower speed concurrent with the lights, so, the problem seems to be electrical system wide, not just the lights. It has done this maybe a total of 10 times that I have noticed over maybe a few hundred miles of driving. It probably happens during the day as well, but, I'd never know.

Is this a sign of an alt ready to go **** up? Can I replace brushes? (it's a 93mtx)

Weather or temp don't seem to be a factor.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Could be, but you should avail yourself of the free charging system testing that places like AutoZone do to make sure. It could also be a battery issue, or even a loose/corroded ground connection somewhere.

The brushes are cheap and easy, and if I'm not mistaken the '93 MTX's have an external regulator that's pretty easy to change too.

 

[pete c]

battery is almost new. don't think checking it at AZ would help because it is just a momentary occasional problem. I will check ground connections, that has burned me on past cars. Are the brushes easy to remove and check? thanks shooooooo.

pete

 

[snowwind1990]

Don't forget to make sure the ground strap is raised and touching the hood at all times, when hood is closed and making contact.
Ma Ma M

 

[Mr Anonymous]

pete c:
battery is almost new. don't think checking it at AZ would help because it is just a momentary occasional problem. I will check ground connections, that has burned me on past cars. Are the brushes easy to remove and check? thanks shooooooo.

pete

Well, free is still free, so why not see if they can determine if in fact the alt. is OK? Just because the problem only appears intermittently doesn't mean it isn't detectable. FWIW, a failing alternator can ruin a brand new battery very quickly! eek!

Does your alternator have the internal or external regulator? If it's the external type, it's pretty easy to get to the brushes and replace them (for the $7 or so that they cost, there's not much benefit in testing them). If it's the internal type, (and the alternator is the original one), getting it open to get to the brushes will be a dirty job, and you have to be careful about stripping the thru bolts/screws, and once you've gotten that far, you should probably replace the regulator too.