posted
Hey i have a serious problem here and if anyone can help me it would be gratly appreciated. I have a 1993 Corsica with a 3.1 v6 in it. I am running a panasonic head unit(DF88) with a MTX 250d amp pushing a polk EX 10" in a MTX thunder bandpass. and recently i added a Kenwood KAC606 amp for my highs.. I have two 8 gauge power wires run for these. I have been blowing altenators about one every 1-2 months now, even before i added the second amp. I have no idea what could be causing this other than GM's crap design. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated
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Posts: 197 | From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
The system you listed shouldn't present a very large load to any alternator. I have a question. Where are you getting your alternators? Are they new, or are they remanufactured? I have seen ALOT of remanufactured alternators that weren't worth a cent.... I would have your battery load tested, and if it is ok, go get a good alternator(NEW, or at least from a different place). You may want to look into having a GM dealership put one in for you, because it will come with a lifetime warranty, INCLUDING labor. IF it goes out more than a couple of times, I bet they will figure out why real quick
posted
just to say it must be either the alt. or the wiring i have a friend with a 92 grand am with the 3.1 litre an he has an mtx 2300 and a smaller mtx amp the 2300 is running 4 audiobahn 12" subs an the smaller amp is running four eclipse 5 1/4s so there must be a serious prob. with either you altinator supplier installer or your wiring no offence i could be wrong...been there b4 i agree with ea1 try what he said
posted
I had this problem in my carsica also. I had the 4cyl with the 2 litre engine. My problem was that I was using those cheap pepboys refurb alternators. I finally broke down and paid for one from GM and the problem ended. I used the car a couple months after the new alt then sold the car.
posted
Most alternator problems that I've seen can be addressed with the following suggestions; -Add a ground return (same guage as power)from the battery negative terminal, to the chassis of the car, under the hood (most installers forget that extra foot of ground).
-Any system with 500W. total, needs a stiffening Capacitor (16V or more).
-Proper and regular maintanance of the battery (if it's a lead-acid type).
-Avoid constant heavy draw on the system, remember your amlifiers will draw more then the vehicle's electrical system was designed for.
-Replacement alternators with higher output, may need to have an added circuit to prevent the vehicle's computer chip from getting damaged (1985-6 and up model cars)
My experience as in mechanics has shown that even re-built alternators are as good, when they are done right. The most common problem that I recall with re-builts was worn out bearings and burnt out brushes, due to factors such as improper re-construction or lack of battery maintanance .
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E.C. Wuz here
Posts: 1057 | From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 'eh | Registered: May 1999
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