Posted July 13, 201311 yr comment_427510 My car had been driving kind of weird, stalling a little, and the head and dash lights would flicker when driving. This got worse and worse, until it was borderline undrivable, difficult to start (today it didn't start, dead battery), and running headlights seemed to make it worse. Rock Auto has several Alternators between 50-60 amps for about $30+shipping less a core charge, should I choose to send one. I could be mistaken, but I'm most likely on the 40 amp stock alternator.Does a dying alternator fit the bill for all this? And does anyone have a specific recommendation on the new unit? I'm not paying $100+ for an MSA one, though if I'm not already converted, it is my understanding I'll either need to purchase a external to internal regulator conversion kit, or rewire it myself in order to prevent the car from not shutting off / dying slowly from a trickle.. though I'm sure there are plenty of threads on that already. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr comment_427512 The flickering sounds like my Pathfinder alt before it died. But you have an external regulator on yours. You might just need a new regulator, your alternator might be fine.And your stock 73 alternator should be either 50 or 60 amps, by the FSM specs. If you already have a 60 amp, then switching to internally regulated won't get you much, if all you need is a regulator.Not positive, but I think a bad regulator can drain your battery also. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427512 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr Author comment_427513 One extra note. If the car is running, my amp meter sits dead center. Running lights, etc, push it left like normal. Normally higher RPMs pushes it to the right. However, it won't move right past the center line at all. If I idle and rev my engine really high, it goes crazy and the meter flies all over its range. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427513 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr comment_427514 Auto stores can check both separately if you take them in. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427514 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr comment_427515 If the ammeter goes to the left of zero, you need a bigger alternator in my book. I've got a used 280zx alternator and it runs everything like a champ. "rewiring" to use an internally regulated alt is wizz easy, it's literally unplugging a connector and jumping the correct wires to each other in the chassis harness (early cars like ours like to have a diode in there to make sure the engine turns off when you take the key out, about a dollar at the local radioshark) . The 280zx alternator conversion kit plug does the same thing and looks sexy doing it, but it's not strictly required for a functional setup. Edit: pictures of all my car's wiring modifications to run a 280zx alternator. The blue weatherproof connector on the white wire is just because it ripped out of the 6 pin harness connector and that was easier than trying to shove it back in. Edited July 13, 201311 yr by Captain_Zeros Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427515 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr Author comment_427518 Yeah. I was gonna have it checked this morning, and then the battery died.. hah. So now its stuck in my parking space until I can find/buy a huge extension cord, or get lucky and maybe it turns over enough to start.Edit: Ninja'd the ninja - If the ammeter goes to the left of zero, you need a bigger alternator in my book. I've got a used 280zx alternator and it runs everything like a champ. "rewiring" to use an internally regulated alt is wizz easy, it's literally unplugging a connector and jumping the correct wires to each other in the chassis harness (early cars like ours like to have a diode in there to make sure the engine turns off when you take the key out, about a dollar at the local radioshark) . The 280zx alternator conversion kit plug does the same thing and looks sexy doing it, but it's not strictly required for a functional setup.I agree. typically when driving it stayed positive, but idling or driving at low RPMs for extended periods with a lot of things going on pushed it in the negative. Its been a nuisance, which is why I'm going bigger with the repair. Edited July 13, 201311 yr by ninjazombiemaster Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427518 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr comment_427519 Test the output voltage at the alternator before the regulator. That should tell you what needs to be repalced Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427519 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr Author comment_427522 Sounds like the smartest course of action is to charge it somehow and try to test it. In the long term, I'd like a bigger alternator, but right now my focus is getting back on the road, so if that means a new regulator, then so be it. They run about the same price on RockAuto. I'll check on my setup after I get off work and make sure I even have an external regulator. I'll post a picture, too. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427522 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr comment_427523 If you can't find a long enough extension cord, carry your battery inside and charge it near an outlet :ninja:I would strongly suggest the 280ZX distributor, mechanical voltage regulation is pretty objectively terrible from a performance standpoint. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427523 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr Author comment_427524 If you can't find a long enough extension cord, carry your battery inside and charge it near an outlet :ninja:I would strongly suggest the 280ZX distributor, mechanical voltage regulation is pretty objectively terrible from a performance standpoint.Perhaps long term. But this is my only vehicle and I need it back on the road yesterday. At least manually charging it should suffice for the weekend. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr comment_427525 If u need a step by step to test the output voltage before the regulator I can provide that too. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427525 Share on other sites More sharing options...
July 13, 201311 yr comment_427526 FAIW, running your battery down that far sucks much of the life out of it and can possibly kill it. You shouldn't try starting your car on a weak battery. Charge it first. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/46962-alternator-toast/#findComment-427526 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Create an account or sign in to comment