If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
My alternator problems are driving me crazy! Please some help here.
Last January I had the alternator in my 97 SC-2 changed. The reason
for the change was that the ABS light kept coming on. I was advised from this group that the reason for this light coming on was that the alternator was going bad and not putting out enough power for the ABS system. So even though the alternator tested ok, I had the alternator changed. Things have been going ok for a few months but then, about a month ago, the ABS light started coming on, usually but not always when the a/c was engaged. Also I noticed that the Dash lights were flickering slightly. So back to machanic I went. Of course the alternator tested ok, but since the alternator was still under warrenty(one year for a factory rebuilt) my guy put a new alternator in yesterday. Driving on the highway last night with headlights and a/c going the alt light flickered momentarily and then the ABS light came on. This was unusual because the ABS light almost always came on right after the ABS system tested itself at 8mph, usually with the a/c running. In anycase, I've got this new alternator in. It couldn't have gone bad so fast, could it? Is there anything that we are overlooking that could cause the alternator to under power the car. Should my guy be checking for bad wiring or something like that? This makes it the car's forth alternator. The original one was changed in Oct. 03. Then in Jan 04 after the ABS light started coming on. And now yesterday. This is not normal. The Battery is about 3 months old. What gives? Thanks in advance for any help. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
It sounds more like you're chasing a bad ground somewhere. This is the
problem with just "shotgunning" instead of doing real troubleshooting. If you're not sure how to track this down get it to a qualified tech. Throwing alternators at this will not fix it. Larry "Raven" > wrote in message om... > Last January I had the alternator in my 97 SC-2 changed. The reason > for the change was that the ABS light kept coming on. I was advised > from this group that the reason for this light coming on was that the > alternator was going bad and not putting out enough power for the ABS > system. > So even though the alternator tested ok, I had the alternator changed. > Things have been going ok for a few months but then, about a month > ago, the ABS light started coming on, usually but not always when the > a/c was engaged. Also I noticed that the Dash lights were flickering > slightly. > > So back to machanic I went. Of course the alternator tested ok, but > since the alternator was still under warrenty(one year for a factory > rebuilt) my guy put a new alternator in yesterday. > > Driving on the highway last night with headlights and a/c going the > alt light flickered momentarily and then the ABS light came on. This > was unusual because the > ABS light almost always came on right after the ABS system tested > itself at 8mph, usually with the a/c running. > > In anycase, I've got this new alternator in. It couldn't have gone bad > so fast, could it? Is there anything that we are overlooking that > could cause the alternator to under power the car. Should my guy be > checking for bad wiring or something like that? > > This makes it the car's forth alternator. The original one was > changed in Oct. 03. Then in Jan 04 after the ABS light started coming > on. And now yesterday. > This is not normal. The Battery is about 3 months old. What gives? > > Thanks in advance for any help. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I just want to take the time to thank everyone who replied to my post.
At your suggestions my mechanic checked every electrical connection and although he couldn't visibly spot a loose ground wire, the action of removing each connection and putting it back has solved this problem. The lights no longer flicker and I can run all the accesories (a/c, defroster, wipers, headlights, etc) without the ABS system shutting down. My guy spoke to mechanics who do a lot of work on Saturns, and this loose ground is a common problem on Saturns. In any case, my car is running better than it has in over a year. Thanks "M. Butkus" > wrote in message >... > Make sure you have GOOD ground wire to the car frame. > If the battery is showing 13.5V when the engine is running. Everything with > the alt is fine. > > > "Raven" > wrote in message > om... > > Last January I had the alternator in my 97 SC-2 changed. The reason > > for the change was that the ABS light kept coming on. I was advised > > from this group that the reason for this light coming on was that the > > alternator was going bad and not putting out enough power for the ABS > > system. > > So even though the alternator tested ok, I had the alternator changed. > > Things have been going ok for a few months but then, about a month > > ago, the ABS light started coming on, usually but not always when the > > a/c was engaged. Also I noticed that the Dash lights were flickering > > slightly. > > > > So back to machanic I went. Of course the alternator tested ok, but > > since the alternator was still under warrenty(one year for a factory > > rebuilt) my guy put a new alternator in yesterday. > > > > Driving on the highway last night with headlights and a/c going the > > alt light flickered momentarily and then the ABS light came on. This > > was unusual because the > > ABS light almost always came on right after the ABS system tested > > itself at 8mph, usually with the a/c running. > > > > In anycase, I've got this new alternator in. It couldn't have gone bad > > so fast, could it? Is there anything that we are overlooking that > > could cause the alternator to under power the car. Should my guy be > > checking for bad wiring or something like that? > > > > This makes it the car's forth alternator. The original one was > > changed in Oct. 03. Then in Jan 04 after the ABS light started coming > > on. And now yesterday. > > This is not normal. The Battery is about 3 months old. What gives? > > > > Thanks in advance for any help. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
|
#7
|
|||
|
|||
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Driving Issues | Joe P. | Driving | 14 | December 31st 04 11:33 PM |
HEMI's HOT | Luke Smith | Driving | 208 | December 19th 04 05:27 PM |
Subject: Traffic School - online traffic school experience response | [email protected] | Corvette | 0 | October 9th 04 05:56 PM |