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 ?

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"?

Mine dips way down to 11-12 as well. I may try replacing the belt before i just replace it.

51,000 on my car.

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?

id take it

take it!
what have you really got to lose?! Grats on the find.

Yeah I was thinking WTF, if it craps out I'll only be out a few bucks.

yup.
the installation isn't all that bad, just getting the damn thing out is 'fun'.

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.

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.

The belt isnt that old. Hmm, I will check that.

Hmm .. Im almost 51 K, couple hundred miles more

If You reseat all the connectors and fuses to your NAV I bet it'll fix it.

I'll try that next week. :mchase:

but I wouldnt be surprise if the thing fails :( (Alternator)

Doesn't the alternator have some sort of current or voltage regulator? That could be the culprit as well....

that's what I believe kicked the bucket on my alternator. Damn regulator is $186

seems much more likely to be a loose connection...