Complete loss of power

[agp1183]

So I drove my 88 NA to a doctors appointment, came back out and it started up fine, then while I was heading home I noticed my voltage spiking to 16-20v so I decided to pull over. Now the car has completely lost power, the battery is fully charged and I have triple checked every fuse I can think of...

any ideas?:1zhelp:

 

[RazoE]

Alternator..

 

[agp1183]

but why would I lose battery power instantaneously at the same time?

 

[RazoE]

maybe the battery wasn't being charged, but it had enough power to start it and run for a bit before it finally kicked the bucket..

this happened to me a while back, the alternator was the culprit..

 

[dumbo]

16-20volts, id say your alternator is prolly hooped( voltage regulator i think in the alternator), but as for no power prolly your fusilbe link went.--got a multimeter

 

[Poodles]

Regulator went out (it's inside the alternator, just change the alt)

 

[agp1183]

nope, further diagnosis proved it was the "fusible link" coming off of the battery to the fuse block. Car is running great now.

 

[92nsx]

^^^ Still you shouldn't ever have a power spike up to 16-20 VDC. Yes, you fix the problem of having no power, but now you have to ask your self "what caused the fusible link to blow"?

 

[Poodles]

JJ would have to comment, but last I knew that could easily blow the regulator/alternator...

 

[dumbo]

JJ would have to comment, but last I knew that could easily blow the regulator/alternator...

yah the fl blowing is like disconecting the bat while the engine is running, not a good thing. pretty sure causes the magnectic feilds in the alternator to collaspe and massive volatage spike which might explain the 16-20v. although i though its higher.

but how is everything lookin now?? and what caused the fl to blow??

 

[Vector89T]

If you peaked 16-20V at some point, you definitely have another problem besides a blown fuseable link. Changing the link to restore power is treating a symptom, not a problem. I would definitely be careful of anything causing those sorts of spikes in the electrical system of the car, especially if you've got all sorts of goodies in there too.

I went through a half dozen Auto Zone alternators before I finally just got a Toyota one. I'm not sure if there's a preferred reman/rebuilt one available these days, it's been a while since I changed mine.

Just keep a watchful eye on it, voltage spikes like that could be detrimental to the well being of your Supra.