ProjectD

iTrader: (15)

OK, I've had an alternator go bad on my car before and all the warning lights in the dash would iluminate. and i had it rebuild for $40 and it worked like a charm. this was several monthes ago(sometime last year) while i was still on the stock twins and running a 51R battery with turbojeff tray.

Now i'm single and using the MBK. Last night i drove to the gas station and noticed that one of my headlights were still up after i shut them down. I checked out the motor and figgured it might be going bad. but didn;t think much of it. I filled up my car and headed out. when i got on the the main road i noticed my radio was out and my dashlights were dim. then i noticed my headlights were dark as hell. They were still on just extremely dim. So far all these sympotms were also present the last time my alt went bad. soon after my car stalled . and none of the power would work. no power to crank the motor and barly enough to turn on the hazards. I got my car towed to a safer spot to axamine it and jump started it and it started right up. desconnected the jumper cables and within 10 seconds it started dying out again. so we let it sit and charge for a while longer this time and it ran log enough this time to get back on the back roads toward my house. but died again on the way.

Well we finally got it home after repeating this and i stuck my trickle charger on it. a few hours later i went out and started it again. started right up. but after driving it about a block i pulled over and noticed when i touched the breaks the radio blinked out for a second. i see the lights starting to dim again and i head mack home.

On my 51r i was able to make it quite a few miles on the battery alone when the alt failed. but the MBK of course has a tiny reserve. But it seems the alt is not charging it anymore.

The reason i am still a little confused is because the warning lights in my dash don't come on like the last time it died. I'm going to pull the alt and have it tested. But i wanted some opinions so any help is appreciated.

Thanx,
Cyan

Sorry for the long post.

KMAR

I just went through this 3 times on a rebuild alternator. Exactly the same thing your getting. I paid like 160 for my first rebuild (things are expensive in Canada), replaced the diodes. Then it died again 1.5 months later, took it back, the guy fixed it again this time it was the voltage regulator, then it died 3 months later taking out the diodes once again, this time he charged me for cost on the part which was another 60 bucks after taxes, I'm like, whatever I just need my car running. Ok, once agian it died, so this time I'm fed up, so I go to him and ask him what is up, why? He was using Mazda 6 Alternator parts which push 5 less amps then ours do, not only that but, then he tells me there are cheaper parts and more expensive ones, the second time he put the more expensive one in. So I started to check everything. Everything on the car electrical was fine, went to a local RX-7 shop, found a used Alternator, 130.00 after taxes, now its been 3 months, we'll see how long this one lasts. So, next time this ever happens to me, I'll do what I have done with every other car I've owned and just buy a reman off the local parts store called Lordco up here. In the end I would have saved a bit of cash, had an actually good rebuild and saved a lot of mechanical time and some days off work to fix the darn thing. If I were you, just get a good reman. I've never had a problem with a proper reman, only an alternator shop one. I have replaced about 4 reman alternators in the past on cars I've owned or my parents and never had a problem.

RaPtOr-T

Theres a GB going on for alts, i think they even come with everything you need to put it in your FD, high output as well. I think its pretty obvious yours is bad.

ProjectD

iTrader: (15)

Thanx for the reply. anyone else have any input? I had the batt and alt tested and the both tested ok. But I am still leaning toward the alt being bad. I know i've heard of others having tested thier alternators and they "passed" but were still not working. I guess i'll drop the cash and buy a new one with a warranty. anyone have any good luck with part store alternators ex( autozone, advanced auto parts, napa)?

edit....just read your post raptor. i'm looking into the GB now. just don't know if i can wait that long for one.

Thanx again.

WaLieN

I went though a rebuild nightmare as well. Just order a Mazda Reman for something like $170.

djseven

iTrader: (56)

Ive got a brand new alternator for $140 shipped if you are interested. If you have any problems with the one I sell you I will gladly refund your money.

ProjectD

iTrader: (15)

I appreciate the offer but i just ordered one earlier today. I got a duralast with a lifetime warranty. IT won't be here untill wed. so i'll update you all latert this week.

Cyan