Alternator trouble, can't figure it out. HELP!!!

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lcp2000

New Member
Jun 13, 2009
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Gastonia, NC
Hi all, I bought my 88na with several issues and am slowly making it to a drivable state.

Here's my current problem:
My instrument cluster battery light, e-brake and brake light markers are on. I replaced alternator and fusible link (100A) because a wire had been used in its place. Same problem, so I figured it was a bad new alternator. Returned and replaced and still no go. So I exchanged it once again and nothing. When I rev the engine up to 4000rpm it seems to start working and all lights go off. 3 bad alternators? or is there something else I should check?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

BTW, all alternators tested good at advance auto and autozone prior to install...
 
Poodles

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
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Fort Worth, TX
Only help I can give you is that the wire fusible link is stock on pre-89's.

Other than that, it may have something to do with the wires that go to the back of the alternator.
 
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boostin300

New Member
Jul 23, 2009
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Las vegas
Your harness sounds like it's jacked. Run the car and test volts with a voltmeter. While it's running the alt, especially if it's brand new, will crank out somewhere between 13-14 volts (13-14 volts directly at the alternator terminals). The battery while the car is running should read around the same (tested on the battery terminals). If the battery is in known good condition, your wires are screwed up. It doesn't seem likely but it does happen. Your battery should be at 12 volts and hold that while the car is off. Really does sound like your cable though.

Good luck.
 
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lcp2000

New Member
Jun 13, 2009
4
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0
Gastonia, NC
Thanks guys. My battery tested fine at Autozone and was charged and left there overnight.

Poodles:
I put in a new fusible link in the fuse box in engine compartment. I put in a 100A (blue one) from Autozone. Is this what you mean or is there another within the wiring?

Boostin300:
I will do the voltage tests and see what comes up and post back here.
can you tell me exactly on what wires I should be getting the voltage readings from?


Thanks all...
 
Poodles

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
16,757
0
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43
Fort Worth, TX
Yep, you're correct. I have no idea why they used a wire fusible link instead of the normal style they have in the other spots...
 
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iwannadie

New Member
Jul 28, 2006
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gilbert, az
Poodles;1382325 said:
Yep, you're correct. I have no idea why they used a wire fusible link instead of the normal style they have in the other spots...
Click to expand...

I'd like to hear the reason. I'm sure there has to be a good reason to go with that instead of a normal fuse like everywhere else. Wheres the JJ at, I'm sure he knows why they used it(and still has his factory original:naughty:).
 
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iwannadie

New Member
Jul 28, 2006
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gilbert, az
Poodles;1382699 said:
Every 89+ I've seen has the normal style...
Click to expand...

Still there has to be a reason they used the other type. I'm sure it wasn't something like "hey boss we ran out of fuses but we have some of this fusable link wire stuff laying around, can we use that instead for a few years?".
 
lewis15498

lewis15498

Don't blame ebay cheapass
Sep 28, 2008
1,397
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Raynham, Massachusetts, United States
iwannadie;1382758 said:
Still there has to be a reason they used the other type. I'm sure it wasn't something like "hey boss we ran out of fuses but we have some of this fusable link wire stuff laying around, can we use that instead for a few years?".
Click to expand...

Whatever reasoning they had must have proved to be false otherwise they wouldnt have changed it in 89.
 
PlatinumTracks

PlatinumTracks

New Member
Dec 8, 2008
90
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CA
I used to have this same problem and when gettin the rpm up to 4 the lights would go away...

once i change my alturnator it went away...but i do know if the wire (instead of the fuse) not connected the car wont even start if that helps any...

but i just replaced it with some scrap power wire to to my amp fo rmy subs....

But lately my lights would flash randomly from time to time so maybe we have teh same issue...
 
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supraduper

New Member
Jun 7, 2009
126
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merrimack nh
couple things

check all your engine grounds... multiple locations, i cant specify

when the car is running... with a pair of jumper cables...
connect the positive end of the jumpers to the pos on the batt... connect the other pos end of the jumpers to the pos terminal of the alt....

fix the problem?
yes?
bad positive wire
no?
try this

do the same thing with the ground... connect one end to the batt and the other end to the engine block...

fix the problem?
yes? bad grounds
no? sorry get a schematic and a flow chart.. and make your peace with god
 
slightly_red_MA70

slightly_red_MA70

Holy S*** I own a Racecar
Jan 24, 2009
417
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Canada
from my experience only the N/A pre 89's have that fuseable link instead of the actual fuse like the turbo's and 89+'s do. its really wierd
 
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lcp2000

New Member
Jun 13, 2009
4
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0
Gastonia, NC
Thanks again guys, I will try your suggestions as soon as I can.
Have a new born at home and she's taking up all my spare time... :aigo:
 
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SupraCobra

New Member
Feb 4, 2009
45
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Melbourne, FL
I'm having a similar problem and I think my engine is frying the alternators (1 old and 2 new) i'm installing... Is there a way to check proper functioning of the 3 wires in the plug that go into the alternator. Did OP ever fix his problem?
 
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