fcdin

iTrader: (1)

I'll start from the beginning. Its a Tii swap and auto to manual swap. 3in DP. Knight sport chip with N374.

8/30
I drove from Iowa to MN with the idiot lights coming off and on. Of course that means alternator is going bad. I didnt think so cause it was only a year old NEW not reman. So I brushed it off.

8/31
I go to a friends house for a get together before school starts. About 20-30 minutes away from where I was at. While driving there my music kept shutting on and off like it didnt have enough power(I have subs and an Amp connected straight to the battery). Ok so its time to go home. Car wont start. Gets a jump and down a block car dies. Off the back I knew it was the alternator (it happened to me before). Got a reman one from o riley's (I know reman ones arent the best its just what I could afford). Car runs fine with the reman Alternator. I start noticing the idiot lights coming on once in a while but it doesnt come on that bright. I brush it off. Bad thought I know.

9/15
Going back to IA from MN. One hour into the way back. Music acts up like before. So I turn off the music. I know its going to be bad. Going around 70-75mph. I start feeling the car jerk little by little. The RPMs go down little by little and Im trying to stay at the same speed. I give it a little more gas and it like chokes on me. I down shift as I get slower to see if it'll go but no it doesnt. So I give it more gas and now Im hearing backfiring and finally the RPMs drops dead. When this is all happening I notice my stock temp gauge is dropping down(I have a koyo rad but never saw this happen before). The first thought was my seals went out on me and the motor blew. But there wasnt any smoke coming out from anywhere when the car was dying. Even the tail pipes. There was a burning smell though. Maybe fuses popped or just from back firing? Tried starting it but car was really low on volts so not even a click from the starter. Checked the fluids and everything was full. Pushed the hazard button and my lights inside would flash but not the tail lights or in the front. Called my brother in Iowa to get me. 3 damn hours away. No one stopped to see what was wrong. Not even a damn cop that came by.

Is this a case of Electrical Faulty or is my engine gone forever? Personally I think Electrical but want to see what you guys think. Thanks!

fcdin

iTrader: (1)

Another thing that I forgot to mention is that. When I turned the key two clicks. The idiot lights were suppose to come on but they didnt. The charge light looked like it came on but it must have been really dim. Besides that the brake light was on of course cause I pulled it up. Same with the open door lights and seat belt light.

dot_txt

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like an electrical issue. In fact it sounds like your alt went dead and you just ran off the battery till it gave out. Did you get your old alternator tested? I know they do it free at some places. Could be a short somewhere or a really bad connection at your terminals. Thats where I'd start at least.

fcdin

iTrader: (1)

I didnt test the old alternator but I think that the AMP and Subs drained out the power and made the alternator fail faster. When ever I drive, the music is always turned up pretty loud. And the problems starting coming after I had them installed. But I dont know til I can get it towed back to Des Moines to work on.

g14novak

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, your going to want to either get a capacitor for your amp and subs or upgrade to a bigger alternator. A really good option would be a taurus alt. Their cheap at the junkyard and theirs a member on the forum who did it. Minimal modding involved. I think their rated at 130ish whereas the stock FC alts are around 80 or 90 (I think, not 100% sure so someone please correct me)

cmanns

You got a loose connection, check the cables everywhere.

My friends truck melted its positive cables...

The clicks is the starter not having enough volts (I believe) to work which means the battery is dead or theirs not a good connection...

fcdin

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the replies you guys. I was so scared that my motor was a goner. There is hope.

fcdin

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I actually saw that thread. I will probably upgrade the alternator to one of those or an Series 6 one.

fcdin

iTrader: (1)

Im also wondering if anyone has had there alternator die on them while driving at a high speed. If it was the same experience as mines.