Searched Many forums.. need an answer
#1
autobody guru
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Dryden, Ontario
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Searched Many forums.. need an answer
OK... here it goes.
My Rx7 is a junkyard fix up. I brought it hom and put a battery in it and it started perfectly after sitting for about 5 years (dont worry i changed the oil, filters, and added coolant and fresh gas)
Its been about a year of body work and minor engine work.
I have an after market stereo and such but its not that big so it probably wont effect anything.
Im having 2 very annoying electrical problems:
1. I keep blowing my illumination fuse at frequent intervals and cannot for the life of me find the short.
2. My alt cuts in and out. should i get new belt? new alt? rewire?
any help would be greatly appreciated. thx all.
My Rx7 is a junkyard fix up. I brought it hom and put a battery in it and it started perfectly after sitting for about 5 years (dont worry i changed the oil, filters, and added coolant and fresh gas)
Its been about a year of body work and minor engine work.
I have an after market stereo and such but its not that big so it probably wont effect anything.
Im having 2 very annoying electrical problems:
1. I keep blowing my illumination fuse at frequent intervals and cannot for the life of me find the short.
2. My alt cuts in and out. should i get new belt? new alt? rewire?
any help would be greatly appreciated. thx all.
#2
Resident Weasel
1) having been in the car stereo install business for several years; I would check the stereo wiring assuming it has a stereo..lousy wiring here can cause illumination troubles..also check the dimmer switch..start with that and work from there
2) if the belt is loose..yes, tighten it or replace it
if you find the belt to be taut..replace the alternator..anyways if it's cutting out on you, this is most likely the problem
cheers!
2) if the belt is loose..yes, tighten it or replace it
if you find the belt to be taut..replace the alternator..anyways if it's cutting out on you, this is most likely the problem
cheers!
#3
wheres the water goin?
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i was having a problem with my alt about a week ago and it was a loose wire on the back i tightened it down and now it work like it should so you might wanna check your connections b4 paying for an alt.
#4
autobody guru
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Dryden, Ontario
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK well the i seem to have fixed the illumination problem... i hope.....
I took out the head unit and found a cracked wire that might have been rubbign on metal.
fixed that up and no problems now.
as for the alt...
all the connections seem good, the belt is tight it just seems dried out (i dont really know how to explain it) it looks like it may start to fray so ill replace it regardless.
I hear that sometimes the ground in bad or soemthing? where is the alt gounded? at the bracket or is there a wire?
oh and the alt only cuts in and out on a bumpy road or when i apply the brakes. it seems that if the load gets just a little bit high or i hit a bump it will cut out. is there another short somewhere?
any input what so ever is awsome
thx again guys
I took out the head unit and found a cracked wire that might have been rubbign on metal.
fixed that up and no problems now.
as for the alt...
all the connections seem good, the belt is tight it just seems dried out (i dont really know how to explain it) it looks like it may start to fray so ill replace it regardless.
I hear that sometimes the ground in bad or soemthing? where is the alt gounded? at the bracket or is there a wire?
oh and the alt only cuts in and out on a bumpy road or when i apply the brakes. it seems that if the load gets just a little bit high or i hit a bump it will cut out. is there another short somewhere?
any input what so ever is awsome
thx again guys
#5
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Calgary; AB
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you can get like a belt treatment from canadian tire I'm pretty sure for your belt...as for cutting in and out on bumpy roads I've never heard of that happening before...its really hard to tell if an alternator is bad unless it just plain stops working...you could go and buy an alternator put it on and try it...if it still does the same thing...you know its not the alternator and take it back...don't forget to keep your receipt...lol
#6
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Waterloo & Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Clean off the battery terminals real good, after time they get corroded and just won't work the same and cause the symptoms you are describing. Even replacing the battery clamps would be a good idea. Best would be to add some more grounds.
#7
you know....just for ***** and grins....an atl is like 20 bucks from a junk yard...maybe throw one in...see if it changes anything...I know new ones are not that cheap...maybe try to narrow it down...so your not spending the money and then not being able to return and electrical item.
I know someone is going to flame me for suggesting using a junkyard alt...however...the chances of two alt's being bad are prob pretty rare... To me it would be better than spending the <220 dollars on a new one.....
I know someone is going to flame me for suggesting using a junkyard alt...however...the chances of two alt's being bad are prob pretty rare... To me it would be better than spending the <220 dollars on a new one.....
Trending Topics
#9
Senior Member
make sure your battery is tied down securly, if it is loose it will short out on the inside of the hood on bumpy roads, if yours doesn't have one you might want to get one of the little rubber hoods that were originally installed on the positive cable.
Jeff
Jeff
#10
Resident Weasel
Originally Posted by Onlyonthurs
$220 for a new alt!?!?!?! WTF!!! i bought an FC alt for my 82 GS for only 94 bucks!! where the hell are you gettin yours.....cause your getting ripped off!!!
#11
Waffles - hmmm good
iTrader: (1)
You've got a short for sure. Follow Dr Jeffs advise on the battery hold down if you don't have one. Also check your grounds to sure they are all tight and good connections.
You could try to reproduce it in the driveway. Have it running and then have someone rock the car by stepping on the bumber and see if it happens. If it does, then your lucky and can probably trace it down from there.
You could try to reproduce it in the driveway. Have it running and then have someone rock the car by stepping on the bumber and see if it happens. If it does, then your lucky and can probably trace it down from there.
#12
autobody guru
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Dryden, Ontario
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will add another ground and do a "Big 3" mod to ensure it is the not the stereo system's draw causing this.
Where is the alt grounded?
my alt only has 3 wires going from it. 1 is white with a red stripe. then there is the plug that has 2 wires going off somewhere. The white wire somehow makes it way to the fusable links.
should i rewire all of this with fresh wire to esure it isnt corroded?
Where is the alt grounded?
my alt only has 3 wires going from it. 1 is white with a red stripe. then there is the plug that has 2 wires going off somewhere. The white wire somehow makes it way to the fusable links.
should i rewire all of this with fresh wire to esure it isnt corroded?
#14
autobody guru
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Dryden, Ontario
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Alright i have decided to do the GM alt swap.
I forgot to mention another problem though. i havent searched it but i will in a sec.
why is my gas light always on?
I forgot to mention another problem though. i havent searched it but i will in a sec.
why is my gas light always on?
#16
autobody guru
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Dryden, Ontario
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
did i say something stupid and not realise it? lol if so please tell me.
I have a full tank so dont think im that dumb. The gauge works but the idiot light is always on.
I have a full tank so dont think im that dumb. The gauge works but the idiot light is always on.
#17
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Waterloo & Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Originally Posted by rotaries_only
did i say something stupid and not realise it? lol if so please tell me.
I have a full tank so dont think im that dumb. The gauge works but the idiot light is always on.
I have a full tank so dont think im that dumb. The gauge works but the idiot light is always on.
http://www.frosted7.com/katrina5.html
Have a look at the second pic, see the rod that goes down next to the float, thats what trips off the light, it has a terminal at the very tip, and the case is metal. When its dry, it basically turns on the circuit that puts on that idiot light. You might have some crud stuck on it, or its just messed up.
Alternatively, it could be the wiring between the sender to the gauge cluster.
#20
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Calgary; AB
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by SCCAIT7
you know....just for ***** and grins....an atl is like 20 bucks from a junk yard...maybe throw one in...see if it changes anything...I know new ones are not that cheap...
#21
Resident Weasel
Originally Posted by rotaries_only
did i say something stupid and not realise it? lol if so please tell me.
I have a full tank so dont think im that dumb. The gauge works but the idiot light is always on.
I have a full tank so dont think im that dumb. The gauge works but the idiot light is always on.
#22
autobody guru
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Dryden, Ontario
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well i figured out the alt issue. i have the Delco CS130 alt but havent but it in yet. the main alt problem was a faulty ground but im slowly replacing the wiring.
Oh and i dont pay for junkyard parts. My dad is like best freinds with the owner so i got 3 rx-7's all to me self
2 81's and an 84(which i drive)
so no shortage of parts. I plan on rebuilding one of the junk engines and putting it into the 84.
Oh and i dont pay for junkyard parts. My dad is like best freinds with the owner so i got 3 rx-7's all to me self
2 81's and an 84(which i drive)
so no shortage of parts. I plan on rebuilding one of the junk engines and putting it into the 84.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Captain Hook
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
13
10-04-15 06:35 PM
rotor_veux
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
3
09-28-15 09:25 PM