Bad alternator

[Wraith2097]

Alright so I'm pulling out to go to work and suddenly the power goes out for a split second. I restart the car and head to work thinking little of it. Then I'm coming home and whenever I press my brake pedal every light dims and the dash lights flicker out for a second. A day later it does the same, plus the radio cuts out for a split second and the voltage meter dips just as I press the pedal. My guess is that with the addition of the tail lights its just too much for my alternator. So I am heading home from work this morning and my gauges jump and drop, jump and drop and all the lights that usually flash when I start the car start flashing at the same time. Can't even tell my rpms or speed anymore as the gauges are going nuts.. I pull over and shut the car off for a sec and try to start it..Dead. After multiple tries I manage to start it but now it starts after the engine turns several times, which was always an instant thing. I went and replaced the battery but its still taking a while to start. Is my alt gone? And if so, what would be a good replacement? Something stock or is a high output one more desireable. My wallet is starting to feel the pinch so if you guys have an idea for an affordable non rebuilt replacement please let me know or toss me a link.

[navyblue2000]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-A...QQcmdZViewItem

[3.4 slow to go]

or http://www.camarov6.com/cgi-bin/ulti...=007298#000000

[navyblue2000]

oh snaip, that's a good deal!

[Brent Neader]

yea i just replaced mine a few days ago. Was seeing my voltage dip into the red when i would turn on the A/C. My friend works at autozone, went by and ran some tests and it failed the diode test. Got a new "gold" series one from there, was $140, but with his discount got it for $120. That fixed it right up, always above the 1/2 way mark now, and works great. Im just glad the old one didnt fail completely and leave my stranded somewhere.

[Wraith2097]

Thanks for the link guys, some good deals there. Yeah mine left me stranded earlier today on my way home from work when the gauges were going nuts. Had to walk home and then borrow a car to grab another battery. It got her home but because it takes so long to start I'm fairly sure it needs a new alt. What a pain.

[Wraith2097]

Hmm I was told that you can check to see if your alternator is still putting out by removing the positive wire from the battery while the car is running. I tried this with the new battery and my bird keeps running. Plus its starting up great after that first time. So is the alt not the culprit after all?

[kamarozrule]

Originally posted by Wraith2097:
Hmm I was told that you can check to see if your alternator is still putting out by removing the positive wire from the battery while the car is running. I tried this with the new battery and my bird keeps running. Plus its starting up great after that first time. So is the alt not the culprit after all?

never ever ever do that!!!!!