Post-Quest Alternator Swap power surge??

[NismoFire]

Last week, I'm on my way to work. Marker lights on, radio on (Bobby Bones, of course). My alternator-lights-of-doom flicker ONCE.

Tonight, I'm on my way to Lady Friend's house. Headlights w/ OEM fogs on, pulling an empty trailer w/ lights, and CD player cranked WAY up. ALoD come on again, but this time my headlights surge. It's a 70mi trip from my house to her's, and I swear, at one point it looked like I had strobes in my headlights.

My nEverStart battery is ~3 years old, and was in it when I bought it almost 2 years ago.



Could the battery not have enough life left in it to handle the extra amperage from the Quest alternator?

Could the belt be slipping, or be too tight?




Haaaaalp!

 

[Silver dude]

I'd check the big terminal on the alternator. I've had mine come loose and there wasn't much left of the terminal nut as it had been arcing quite a bit.

 

[NismoFire]

I'd check the big terminal on the alternator. I've had mine come loose and there wasn't much left of the terminal nut as it had been arcing quite a bit.

The plug, or the ground?

 

[Silver dude]

Neither the big ring terminal on the back. Positive wire that runs to the battery. The large gauge wire that fastens with a 10mm nut at the back side of the alt.

 

[NismoFire]

Neither the big ring terminal on the back. Positive wire that runs to the battery. The large gauge wire that fastens with a 10mm nut at the back side of the alt.

Oh yeah, that. I'll check it out.

 

[SAKS]

Any fix update?

 

[NismoFire]

Nothing was loose. I checked when I got home from work this afternoon. All screws are tight, and the wires are making great contact. Even made sure the plug was secure. Still happening frequently.

Since install, I've heard the alternator whine like a mofo, but when the lights start flickering, I don't hear it anymore until they stop.

 

[NismoFire]

Unless it's further on up that positive wire. I didn't have enough daylight to fully inspect it. It's on my list of things to do tomorrow.

 

[SAKS]

damn grimlins

 

[xterror04]

Get rid if that old battery that definatley isn't helping... The only time I ever hear and alt whine is when the bearing is shot

 

[NismoFire]

It's been whining since I put it in. Now it's just worse.


All connections are good. I checked them yesterday. Ground, main positive, and the electrical plug are secure with good connections. If I have to replace this effing battery, we can all say goodbye to nXm.

 

[Roadwarrior]

What is your tension on the belt? trying loosening the adjuster on it and giving that belt a tad of slack, mine whined when I had the belt too tight.

 

[NismoFire]

What is your tension on the belt? trying loosening the adjuster on it and giving that belt a tad of slack, mine whined when I had the belt too tight.

I wondered about that, too. I'll give it a shot.

 

[Xterraforce]

Don't rule out the possibility of a bad alternator either. I know you just got it but that doesn't guaranty it's good. We hardly ever have alternators come back defective where I work, yet I got three bad ones in a row for my 240SX. All with different problems.

 

[NismoFire]

Don't rule out the possibility of a bad alternator either. I know you just got it but that doesn't guaranty it's good. We hardly ever have alternators come back defective where I work, yet I got three bad ones in a row for my 240SX. All with different problems.

That's my biggest worry. I was tempted to run by AZ today and get it tested, but I'm honestly afraid of what the results will be. If I get off work at a decent hour tomorrow, I'll run it by there.

 

[Roadwarrior]

That's my biggest worry. I was tempted to run by AZ today and get it tested, but I'm honestly afraid of what the results will be. If I get off work at a decent hour tomorrow, I'll run it by there.

What is the worst that could happen? You have already replaced one, so why would replacing another be that bad? You know what the simple tricks are to get it in there.. Sure it is time but it could be worse..

 

[NismoFire]

What is the worst that could happen? You have already replaced one, so why would replacing another be that bad? You know what the simple tricks are to get it in there.. Sure it is time but it could be worse..

Time is the problem, and if it tests good, then I have a bigger problem and I won't be going to nXm.

 

[xterror04]

You don't need a $200 batttery, if that's the issue, get the gold battery from advancements treated me well and only like $80... Where is the alt from?

 

[Xterraforce]

Since the problem is intermittent it could test good and still be bad. It would have to be having the problem as it's being tested in most cases. I truly hope it's something simple.

Did your original alternator just stop charging or was it doing strange things?

 

[drbandkgb]

Since the problem is intermittent it could test good and still be bad. It would have to be having the problem as it's being tested in most cases. I truly hope it's something simple.

Did your original alternator just stop charging or was it doing strange things?

She had the typical lights pop..

Get the thing to be tested.. Both the battery and alt. I doubt it's anything to be honest..

 

[NismoFire]

She had the typical lights pop..

Get the thing to be tested.. Both the battery and alt. I doubt it's anything to be honest..

Eat your words, DRB. Truck died on my way home from my parents' house tonight. Had to go get the Titan and jump it off after I pushed it out of the intersection of Lee Victory and Hazlewood. Barely made it home. I'll deal with it tomorrow after work.

 

[drbandkgb]

I'd eat my words but... I clearly said hve it tested too.

 

[Roadwarrior]

I would have everything checked. Better to be safe.

 

[Pro-2X]

I'd probably just go ahead and put a 4.0 in there just to be safe...:sure:

 

[NismoFire]

I'd probably just go ahead and put a 4.0 in there just to be safe...:sure:

The ultimate 4.0 swap.

 

[NismoFire]

Verdict is in...battery is shot. Sat on charger at AutoZone for almost 2 hours and would only hold 50% charge. Fail.

Typical of a (n)EverStart Walmart battery, dies within 3 years. This one lasted 2 years and 11 months.

I'll be stopping by Sears on my way home from work tomorrow to pick up my DieHard. Thankful I don't have to replace the alternator again, but sad because this eats away ALL of my nXm money, unless I happen to sell that dang engagement set before then.

 

[Jack Stilts]

...but you'll be at nXm...right.

RIGHT?!

 

[Xterraforce]

Of course she will! All those minor things like food and stuff are way overrated anyway. One way or another even if we have to drag her kicking and screaming.

 

[NismoFire]

...but you'll be at nXm...right.

RIGHT?!

Maybe..we'll see.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Maybe..we'll see.

Oh come on.. Money is so tight for me I will have some change left over to my name, but I can't miss 4 days of wheeling and friends.

 

[Slasa]

Maybe..we'll see.

Its called mooching! Friends will feed you. If I was going I would help keep you fed. And drunk. :beer:

 

[Pro-2X]

I offered and her pride gets in the way.

 

[Jack Stilts]

See. Just get your butt there. The Xterra family will take care of ya.

 

[drbandkgb]

She was offered some gas money by a secret gas fund.. And turned it down..

 

[Slasa]

That's why we like her. Proud yet humble.
And clearly stubborn.

 

[NismoFire]

Of course she will! All those minor things like food and stuff are way overrated anyway. One way or another even if we have to drag her kicking and screaming.

No need to drag me, I'd go willingly!

Its called mooching! Friends will feed you. If I was going I would help keep you fed. And drunk. :beer:

That's very kind of you, especially the last part.

I offered and her pride gets in the way.

See. Just get your butt there. The Xterra family will take care of ya.

She was offered some gas money by a secret gas fund.. And turned it down..

...then turned it back up. Yes, I'm going. Just not coming for Thursday wheeling. I'm going to have to work Thursday now to pay the mortgage.

That's why we like her. Proud yet humble.
And clearly stubborn.

I don't know what you're talking about, those words have never been used to describe me before!

 

[NismoFire]

Work kicked my azz today, and I don't feel like running to Murfreesboro to get a battery then come home and install it. That will be my morning project tomorrow.

 

[NismoFire]

Installed new battery this morning, let it run/charge for a bit, then took my truck to AZ to get the alternator checked. Battery didn't have enough of a charge on it to test the alternator, according to the machine.

After new battery, I have NO dash lights on, not even the battery light. I don't hear the alternator whining, either. No flickering lights.

 

[Tay-Lo]

Should there be any lights? Like from having the headlights on? If not congrats on getting it fixed and not having to change the alternator again!

 

[NismoFire]

Should there be any lights? Like from having the headlights on? If not congrats on getting it fixed and not having to change the alternator again!

By "no lights," I meant the Alternator Lights of Death, aka a combination of the BRAKE and Battery Lights being on at the same time. That's the dead giveaway for an alternator issue on our trucks.