bishop977

i was trying to move my car this weekend. when i try to start the car it was dead nothing turned on. so i to use my booster box to boost the car it started up for about 10 sec and died. i'm wondering if its a another bad alternator or a bad battery from the cold weather recently. i just replaced the alternator a second time. what would cause the alternator to go bad again if it is it? first time i had the mechanic do it died out in a year after the warranty. so i thought he was ripping me off so i got one off advance auto and replaced it myself. this one lasted about a year ago maybe a little longer.i can't be replacing my alternator every year. i'm hoping its the battery but i just got it about a year ago the die hard gold.

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

another engine forum thread?

moved

MJHSC400

Probably NOT the battery, but have it tested where you bought it to be sure--

Then, you should have the alt tested-- probably a bad rectifier if it is the alt... less likely to be the volt. regulator--

I've got a thread called "SC400 Alternator rebuild how-to" you can use to fix it yourself--it even lists a parts source I looked long and hard to find-- and you probably wont need brushes since it's that new-- so you're looking at maybe $50 plus removing it and reinstalling it, and once you have it out the part replacement literally takes 10 minutes-- But while you've got it out you should have it tested at AutoZone on their machine-- it will tell you what the problem is and they do it for free--

Sorry dude, if I could give you a ride I would--

bishop977

its freezing outside and i don't have a driveway to work on the car. still wondering how it went bad in a year both of them. i woudln't mind rebuilidng it but if it breaks again in it would suck. i would like to find out why it keeps breaking rather than fix and work a year and die again and do it all over again.

MJHSC400

This is why you read the thread, and discover that the rectifier is a known problem with this particular Nippondenso alternator, and further find that an upgraded unit has been engineered to solve the problem, and that these alternator rebuilders are likely using the very cheapest units possible to sell a unit and maximize profit.

The HD rectifier will not have the same problem-- The cheap A$$ unit the reman companies use likely will or maybe even be worse than OEM.....

If you haven't tested the battery I would before I decided anything..

Email nationsautoelectric.com -- Dave I think, and he'll point you in the right direction my man-- not to worry.

bishop977

turns out to be the battery. took the battery to autozone to get it checked out and it was bad. brung it to sears for a replacement they tested it also said bad battery was less than a year old. that fixed the electrical problem but it still wouldn't turn over. i had to tow it to the mechanic and he said it was the spark plugs getting those changed now.

MJHSC400

Holy crap-- spark plugs wouldn't let it turn over?? I'm comin over--

Do you mean it wouldn't start or it wouldn't turn over--- did it try to start??

This is real confusin--

bishop977

it cranks but doesn't turn over. had to give it a little gas and then it finally turn over. what you mean start?