New Alternator

[20_MuleTeam_Borax]

About 1.5 months ago, I installed a 5 channel Infinity amp and a Polk sub in my car. Everything worked fine for a few weeks, but the car eventually started having trouble starting. After a few days of that, the lights began dimming when I had the AC, headlights, interior lights, audio system, etc running simultaneously.

I brought it to the automobile center @ Kmart, and the mechanic said that the increased stress from a moderately powerful 5 channel amp blew a diode in the alternator. According to him, it's only putting out 10 amps when it's supposed to do at least 60. (This #s mean nothing to me. He could be dead wrong.)

From what I understand, I either need to buy a new, more powerful alternator or rebuild the alternator w/ stronger diodes and new bearings.

Should I rebuilt it (if possible) or buy a new one? Who should I have do it, the dealer (Subaru), my regular mechanic, Kmart, etc?

BTW, this may be completely unrelated, but the fuse w/ my headlights and horn blew last week. The amp is running off the + post of the battery.

 

[Total Refected Power]

I had the same problem when I was a kid installing a big amp in a puny Nissan (Datsun) Sentra.

Solution? Got rid of the amp!!

Car is more important that an amp!

 

[Soybomb]

Any reputable mechanic should be able to put in an alternator easily, you could probably even do it yourself if you have the tools. Buy a newer stronger one, they aren't that much.

 

[loup garou]

What kind of car? Japanese? Japanese cars have notoriously underpowered alternators. I'd say rebuild it if it is possible to get enough juice out of it, if not, buy a new more powerful alternator. If you have the amp I'm thinking of (5ch Infinity), the amp probably cost more than a new alternator!

 

[Pacfanweb]

I doubt the amp caused the alternator to fail.

If it is truly only putting out 10 amps, it is bad.(bad diode unlikely, more likely is the regulator) If you can get a more powerful alternator for that particular vehicle, I'd get it, but the stock one should do fine if it is working properly, which yours is not.

 

[purplehayes]

If you're even slightly mechanical, you can pull the alternator youself and take it to a parts place that will test it for you. Auto Zone is the place to go here in Atlanta.

Alternators are super easy to replace. Theres three screws tops and two wire connectors. You're in and out in like 30 mins.

PH

 

[vi edit]

"Alternators are super easy to replace. Theres three screws tops and two wire connectors. You're in and out in like 30 mins."

Not on all cars It's a $500+ labor fee to replace the alternator on my Z34. The alternator is located behind the engine. To get to it, the engine has to be removed.

Why oh why did chevy put on of the most commonly failed parts in such a ridiculous place

 

[Thanatopsis]

I think chevy's engineers were in league with the mechanics union when they designed Luminas (like your Z34 and my Lumina). Not only is the alternator in that crazy place, but the battery is sitting under the window washer fluid with the terminals smack against the airflow filter.

Argh. My cat could design a better spot for the battery.

 

[Farbio]

u may want to check out somewhere like autozone or discount auto parts, they can sell you rebuilt alternators for much cheaper than a new on, although with a new one, you can get one that pumps out more juice, it will cost a pretty penny, as i looked into it when i put my amp in my honda.
another solution could be to buy a capacitor to store a bit of energy for your amp so it doesn't make huge draws suddenly on your electrical system

 

[PG]

How do you like changing those Lumina spark plugs?

My friend had a Lumina and decided to change those himself. He had to undo one of the motor mounts and slightly move the engine away from the firewall to get the back 3 changed.

 

[loup garou]

Haha...that Lumina sounds like my old car. 92 Olds Achieva SC. Had to completely pull the engine to replace the spark plugs. Fun fun fun! :|

 

[Doodoo]

I hightly doubt that 5 channel amp caused your alt to go bad. I had over 800 watts running on my Celica which has a pretty small alt. If your gonna get a new alt...get a HO one.

 

[20_MuleTeam_Borax]

Tis a Japanese car. . .It's a 92 Subaru Legacy. The amp is running 4x50W and 1x200 @ 4 ohms. List is $920

What ballpark am I looking at for a new or rebuilt alternator? What bout for rebuilding?

Anybody have any info on regulators? Two Kmart/Penske employees independantly diagnosed it as the alternator, but I suppose they could be wrong.

 

[xero]

I got an alternator for my 90' Caprice Classic for $80 at autozone...it's 105a...nice n' big to run all my crap

BUT, alternators for imports are usually hellaexpensive for some reason..
Lucky for me, the mechanic put my alternator on for free, in about 10 minutes gotta love old chevy v8 engines, where everything's super easy to get to

 

[20_MuleTeam_Borax]

Well according to my calculations (which could we dead wrong), I need 57.8 amps to run my current setup. Considering I currently ahve a 60 amp alternator, the theory of the prolonged stress of putting out that much power seems pretty feasible.

Im confident I can get it installed for free (either by myself or w/ assistance from a mechanical friend).

 

[The Stigenator]

Suburu is not japanese.. its korean.
its a south korean company.

 

[20_MuleTeam_Borax]

Why didn't crutchfield (who up until now seemed to know everything) or any of my audiophile friends mention this alternator issue?