Talk to me about alternators

[Barry Donovan]

if you could be patient for a home rebuild, there is some great stuff to do for a factory one.

I am making a 30 amp jap alternator run high powered ignition, an aftermarket fuel pump, and giant 9004 35W bulbs. An unusual overlap of too small.

there is a paint for the inside of alternators, and brushes with sleeves on the copper strands.

fixed forever.

if you find a cracked brush, it is one of those errors, bleed to a snap.. humidity can even crack an old one.

the alternator has not changed much, some diodes bridged to make DC, solid state, forever.

there is even bearings that can be different. I have a high performance clutch throwout bearing in one alternator.. you will be surprised at the sizing and multi purpose things they did to save money.

[SpiderGearsMan]

does it charge now ?
sound like a real butt stain you bought the car from

[Eagle Kammback]

Hobby shop was packed yesterday and today, so I'm going up there tomorrow bright and early to do it.
Guy claims the car mostly sat while he's owner her, but the interior lights have been removed, the amp wire was disconnected, and the radio doesn't work, part of me thinks somebody knew she had a charging issue.

[Beagle]

shit happens with 30 year old cars, that's why we have parts stores. I kinda liked Dan's suggestion on the alternator shop.

I found out yesterday I've got some bulbs out in the truck, and the bulbs are fine. KERRRAPPP. I feel your pain, I'm not much on wiring. I can do it, I just don't like it. If this kind of thing is gonna ruin the car for ya, I'd suggest a new Kia. haha. Since we know you aren't going to do that, chin up, let's move on.

http://www.prestolite.com/literature/tech/alts/TSB-1019_On_Trk_Troubleshooting.pdf

if you already have it off, and alternators are usually one easy belt, take it to the alternator shop or just get the new one and replace it.

Being a V8 car, it's probably already got the biggest alternator they offered. If you spec one for an A/C car, that will likely be the biggest stock alternator. 60a x 12 v = 720w ... that's a lot of power. A BIG power amplifier will want more, but normal hurt your ears stuff will be okay.

[MR P-BODY]

With battery cable off put a a amp gauge between the cable and the battery
and then pull one fuse at a time to find the circuit that is drawing then zero
in on the items in that circuit to find the problem
EDIT
It could be as simple as the glove box light is on

[squirrel]

Charging problems can be fun, and often are caused by something besides the alternator being bad. Raise your hand if you've worked on a Mopar with a bad ammeter?

[Beagle]

(raises hammer, but not a mopar)

[Eagle Kammback]

Put a new alternator in, fixed the charging issue it appears.
Still don't have brake lights, ordered a switch.
Still a pain to shift
NO RUST!

[SpiderGearsMan]

you sure that's a T4 ?

[NightShifter]

I was just checking production numbers on that there AMX, pretty low, nice score.

[Beagle]

is the clutch cable operated ? that sounds a bit like it's not fully disengaging.