Monday, August 27, 2012 8:25:05 AM
Perhaps your electrical problem was the alternator all along.
Is the car a GM product?
If so, does it have a Voltmeter in the dash or just an idiot (BATT or ALT) light?
In the case of the Voltmeter did you notice that it was reading ~ 12 Volts instead of the “nominal” 13.8 Volts when running?
In the case of the idiot light, did you notice, under really dark conditions, a very slight glow in the light?
If so, I have had two experiences with this.
The first in my Wife’s `80 Impala. Very intermittently it would not start. One night after taking our oldest Son to ski lessons it didn’t. After rescuing them with a battery boost that night she said that the idiot light had been slightly glowing but she could only see that when in total darkness. Whenever I checked it with a Voltmeter all was well. When I asked a Brother in Law (who is a real mechanic) about it, he pulled out a drawer in his tool box and handed me a used “Diode Triplet”. I changed it out. Problem solved!
The second was in my `79 Suburban. One day, after starting it, I noticed the Voltmeter was reading ~ 12 Volts not the 13.8 Volts. Having two batteries in that beast I knew I had time to spare. I purchased a new diode triplet that day and changed it out that night. Again, problem solved!
The “Diode Triplet” (inside the alternator) supplies the Power to the internal Voltage regulator to make the alternator put out via the brushes. When one or more of the three diodes quit, the Power output of the alternator drops.
I know my brief explanation sounds confusing.
Then again, it could be that the brushes are worn out…
If there still is an abnormal current draw on the battery, I can help track it down. Let me know. It sounds like you have a good mechanic.
If the engine and transmission and tires are OK, then a new alternator and fixing the power steering will be cheaper than a new(er) car.
Id
Is the car a GM product?
If so, does it have a Voltmeter in the dash or just an idiot (BATT or ALT) light?
In the case of the Voltmeter did you notice that it was reading ~ 12 Volts instead of the “nominal” 13.8 Volts when running?
In the case of the idiot light, did you notice, under really dark conditions, a very slight glow in the light?
If so, I have had two experiences with this.
The first in my Wife’s `80 Impala. Very intermittently it would not start. One night after taking our oldest Son to ski lessons it didn’t. After rescuing them with a battery boost that night she said that the idiot light had been slightly glowing but she could only see that when in total darkness. Whenever I checked it with a Voltmeter all was well. When I asked a Brother in Law (who is a real mechanic) about it, he pulled out a drawer in his tool box and handed me a used “Diode Triplet”. I changed it out. Problem solved!
The second was in my `79 Suburban. One day, after starting it, I noticed the Voltmeter was reading ~ 12 Volts not the 13.8 Volts. Having two batteries in that beast I knew I had time to spare. I purchased a new diode triplet that day and changed it out that night. Again, problem solved!
The “Diode Triplet” (inside the alternator) supplies the Power to the internal Voltage regulator to make the alternator put out via the brushes. When one or more of the three diodes quit, the Power output of the alternator drops.
I know my brief explanation sounds confusing.
Then again, it could be that the brushes are worn out…
If there still is an abnormal current draw on the battery, I can help track it down. Let me know. It sounds like you have a good mechanic.
If the engine and transmission and tires are OK, then a new alternator and fixing the power steering will be cheaper than a new(er) car.
Id
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