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Alternator life span ?

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Old May 22, 2009 | 09:00 AM
  #1  
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Alternator life span ?

Sometimes, when driving, my Navigation would just "blink" and turn itself off and restart right away, its like its not getting enough power and shuts itself down, then re-power on.

Do you guys think it might have something to do with my Optima Battery? Or Alternator ? I test it at Autozone and it saids its fine. Hmm ...

Alternator is putting out about 14.1-14.3, it jumps up and down, sometimes when I let the engine go it dips to around 12 something.

Battery was I think 13v? I forgot.

51K on original Alternator. maybe a 10 K for Optima battery ?
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Old May 22, 2009 | 09:06 AM
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It could be a power problem but sounds to me more like a loose connection. As to your alternator output, it will vary depending on load; you may want to check the belt tension. Assuming you replaced it when you put the new engine in, it may have stretched a bit since then. What do you mean when you say "when I let the engine go it dips to around 12 something"?

Last edited by EDZRIDE; May 22, 2009 at 09:13 AM.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 09:46 AM
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Mine dips way down to 11-12 as well. I may try replacing the belt before i just replace it.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 10:43 AM
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51,000 on my car.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 04:04 PM
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Guys I found an alternator off a wrecked 06' RX8 with 6k on the odometer for dirt cheap. Let's just say it's under $50.00. What do you think?
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Old May 22, 2009 | 04:05 PM
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id take it
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Old May 22, 2009 | 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
Guys I found an alternator off a wrecked 06' RX8 with 6k on the odometer for dirt cheap. Let's just say it's under $50.00. What do you think?
take it!
what have you really got to lose?! Grats on the find.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 04:25 PM
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Yeah I was thinking WTF, if it craps out I'll only be out a few bucks.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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yup.
the installation isn't all that bad, just getting the damn thing out is 'fun'.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 05:50 PM
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I ordered it, what the hell. Yeah I broke one of the tabs that hold the engine cover getting it out the first time but I have done it twice so a third time should be a piece of cake.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by EDZRIDE
It could be a power problem but sounds to me more like a loose connection. As to your alternator output, it will vary depending on load; you may want to check the belt tension. Assuming you replaced it when you put the new engine in, it may have stretched a bit since then. What do you mean when you say "when I let the engine go it dips to around 12 something"?
I meant,

if I let my foot outa the gas pedal, the V might drop down to the 11-12 for couple of seconds. Then jumps back up to around 14. something.

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
Mine dips way down to 11-12 as well. I may try replacing the belt before i just replace it.
The belt isnt that old. Hmm, I will check that.

Originally Posted by Jedi54
51,000 on my car.
Hmm .. Im almost 51 K, couple hundred miles more
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Old May 22, 2009 | 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by nycgps
Sometimes, when driving, my Navigation would just "blink" and turn itself off and restart right away, its like its not getting enough power and shuts itself down, then re-power on.

Do you guys think it might have something to do with my Optima Battery? Or Alternator ? I test it at Autozone and it saids its fine. Hmm ...

Alternator is putting out about 14.1-14.3, it jumps up and down, sometimes when I let the engine go it dips to around 12 something.

Battery was I think 13v? I forgot.

51K on original Alternator. maybe a 10 K for Optima battery ?
If You reseat all the connectors and fuses to your NAV I bet it'll fix it.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Old Rotor
If You reseat all the connectors and fuses to your NAV I bet it'll fix it.
I'll try that next week.

but I wouldnt be surprise if the thing fails (Alternator)
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Old May 23, 2009 | 09:57 AM
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Doesn't the alternator have some sort of current or voltage regulator? That could be the culprit as well....
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Old May 23, 2009 | 11:26 AM
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that's what I believe kicked the bucket on my alternator. Damn regulator is $186
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Old May 23, 2009 | 01:12 PM
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seems much more likely to be a loose connection...
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