Hi all the other day on my way home my car started acting crazy. First as I was driving my lights shut off, then my radio shut off, then all my dash lights lit up including the battery/abs/etc..., then my power steering shut off. I pulled into the driveway and checked the battery it was at like 9.8V which means the alternator wasn’t charging. I woke up the next day and checked the battery and it was at 11.9v so I cranked the car and it started. I then had my wife rev the car to 2krpm to see if the alternator was charging and I noticed that at idle the voltage hovers around 10.1/10.2 volts but when revving it fluctuates between 10.6-10.8v and there is a slight whine coming from the alternator.

All that being said I’m almost 99% certain that my alternator is dead. But I want to double check first if there is a main Engine/Alternator fuse in these cars. My last car had a 100A Engine fuse and if that blew the alternator wouldn’t charge the battery...

Any input is appreciated

 

My guess is you need an alternator, they are a rather normal failure, especially if yours is making noise, and the battery light is illuminated.

Nick
Detroit Tuned

 

That's what it sounds like...

Is there any engine/alternator fuse in these cars?

 

Yep. Sounds like you need an alternator. I believe that alternator's regulation is controlled by the DME which raises or lowers the field as needed. You could take that voltage meter you are using and quickly ohm out the fuses. It'll take you 10 minutes. Don't forget that there are two panels: one under the hood and one at the driver's kick panel.

 

Ill give it a shot this weekend if it doesn't snow again here :\

If it does need an alternator im parking it up until temps are back up in the high 40s/50s...My dog wont like that too much but oh well lol.

 

The car's computer has a list of priorities for electrical use when the voltage drops, so the first non essential thing it shuts off would be radio and work down a list. If you saw ANY change in voltage reving then the fuse to alternator is ok, fuses work or they don't , so 99% sure your alternator is toast , UNLESS your battery is DED dead as in shorted cell. How old is battery ? I'd try and charge it and see if it takes a charge.

 

Good point, the battery is newish (6 months old) but i do have a 121lb german shepherd that may somehow stepped on it one day and messed something up in it...Ill check the fuses and test with a different battery before i go and buy an alternator.

 

easy to test, start car, disconnect battery, if it dies you alternator is dead.

 

Yep

 

Well im sure my alternator is toast...I just ran the car then removed the positive terminal off the battery and the car kept running BUT when i put the volt meter to it i saw 7.4V...i guess its safe to say the alternator is toast?

 

 

My r53 doing the EXACT same thing yours is. I put new alternator in today .. ran great. Until I powered the radio and boom the battery light back on and the power steering gone again. I'm stranded changing it now at my storage place but the Light is staying on ... Another alternator down the drain with another 250 for service. . 4th one in 4 months . Auto zone part . Maybe I'll try napa . Once I save enough for labor costs again. . 😣😩

​​​​​​​I guess I'm happy I got a good bike to ride 2.5 hours to get to work . Week 3 begins Monday ... If riding gets easier maybe I'll just forget about this beautiful disaster . Very disappointed still ...