Putting in a larger alternator resulted in me hitting a couple of wires and hoses. I finished this mod up, started the car up, and it started normally, only to die after about thirty seconds. This happened three times in a row. There's an outlier, though: The alternator pulley siezed. I tried widening its opening myself and made this kinda oval shape that screwed down the alt shaft and screwed it to the face of the alternator. Burned out the belt, too. For those thirty seconds that it did turn, though, my output was very high in voltage. But I doubt that my car would die right away if the alternator stopped working--wouldn't it run off the battery or something for at least a little while? This leads me to think that maybe when I did the swap I knocked something loose, and I'm wondering if anyone can suggest anything. Here're the symptoms:

1.) Car starts, revs to 3,000

2.) Falls to idle

3.) Idles for about 20 seconds

4.) Dies very cleanly, as if I actually pulled the key back.

I can try giving it gas and stuff, hardly seems to make a difference...

 

Most likely you hit or damaged the water temp sensor on the back of the water pump housing. It's a green sensor with a green 2-wire fuel injector looking plug. It's really easy to have the back nut on the alternator pivot around and break off the sensor.

With that water temp sensor acting up, the car will run SUPER rich when it's cold, causing it to stall very easily. It should run properly when the car is warmed up, though, but it will adversely affect fuel economy.

Dale

 

Huh. Is this easy to repair or replace? What would I have to do?

 

if you damaged it then it should be pretty easy to see by looking at it. its the green sensor sticking out of waterpump behind thermostat. you would have to find another one and just replace it.

you might be able to get car running by jumpering the initial set coupler beside the leading coil. i think that might set a default temp w/ the computer, not sure though. i think dc had good idea

 

Hm, I have a few other things to do here first. I have a feeling this is going to be a fix I do when it's very very cold outside...

 

Do you think the car would die just cuz the alternator froze up?

 

^

 

I would check for the low hanging fruit first:

1. did you accidently unplug anthing. I had the same Idle problem and the plug to my BAC valve came lose.

2. Inspect the small vaccum hoses that go to the ACV. They get hard and brittle being over the turbo