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Do I have an alternator problem??

Discussion in 'General Truck Info' started by jwetovick, Mar 21, 2012.

  1. jwetovick

    jwetovick Member

    Hello all. I'm assuming I have a bad alternator but just wanted to check and make sure someone didn't have any other ideas before I ordered a new one. My battery went dead a couple weeks ago so I went and purchased a new battery and charged it up. Few days later it was dead and when I put my charger on it my charger actually said "bad battery". Wal mart battery so it didn't surprise me. So I took my battery out of my lawn mower and put it on and charged it up. Worked great for a week and now its dead. I just can't imagine where I would have any kind of short to run the batter down so I'm assuming its a bad alternator. Any ideas/comments? Thank you.
     
  2. greg0187

    greg0187 Moderator Staff Member

  3. jwetovick

    jwetovick Member

    Thanks alot Greg for the post. I ordered a new alternator already. Maybe I should have tried this out before hand. I've got the alternator pulled off but I guess maybe I should put a charged battery on there and try the test with the light. Maybe I can luck out and not need a new (refurbished) $140 alternator? Thing is it just started happening within the past three weeks and I haven't done anything to the truck so would think its alt but ya never know. Short happens :)
     
  4. TRAX and HORNS

    TRAX and HORNS Well-Known Member

    Being that you have it off take the alternator down to the parts store and have them check it. 99% of the time they dont charge anything.
    Worst case a good auto electric shop can
    rebuild it for about 90.00 +-.
    The last one I had done was 85.00. But I live in Austin and "texas alternator service" can rebuild just about anything. They will take a stab at anything. Not many businesses around like them anymore.
     
  5. jwetovick

    jwetovick Member

    Forgot all about having them check it out for me. Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately I'm not sure if anyone close to me would rebuild it. I sure wish as it would save me some money. Heck I could darn near send it to that place in texas and back cheaper than what I'm getting this one for. Basically gna be $160 after shipping. OUCH!
     
  6. oldoldoldman

    oldoldoldman Member

    Easy way to check out is hook up to charger and put on low charge and rev the engine, if the needle goes down its because alternator is helping to charge.
     

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