alternator woes! wtf.

[jay92889]

I've got a '90 Ex with 250k. I replaced my alternator about 4,000 miles ago with a decent junkyard one (mileage unknown). I would have gotten a better one with all of the internal components in it but you know how it is, when you need it it's not there, so I HAD no choice but to settle for the only one there, even though the voltage reg. and brushes were gone. I carried over the internals, including NEW brushes and had no problems at all. Anyway, today I drove to college, and drove back. NO PROBLEMS, and the alternator was working for a fact. I park up at home and head out a couple hours later and my charging light comes on and stays on solid? What the hell? When rpm's are above 1800 the light goes away, but there's still NO output whatsoever. There are no weird noises either like my last one made before its final days, nothing. Also, under 1800rpms a couple times the battery light went away at idle, but only to come back a few seconds later. Speaking of idle, it bounces like crazy, whereas it never did before these alternator issues.

Just to test it I put a large load on the car and let it idle in the driveway and it died. Clearly the alt isn't putting out SHIT for output. Before it died I also gave it gas here and there and it had no effect on the brightness of the dim headlights/dashlights. I've checked the plug which plugs into the alt, and it's fine and I've also checked the belt as well.

What's wrong here?! The brushes were brand new. Could it be the voltage regulator or am I just screwed and need a new alt all together?

Of all days to screw up it had to be today, where I need to run around 100+ miles tomorrow, as well as run to NASA for a project.

Thanks in advance though, Jay.

[NorcoAccord]

how are your grounds to the alternator as well to the car over all, also I remember if you stick a flat head screw driver behind the alt and it will over ride the regulator and the alternator will make power like crazy, if the fixes your problem you know your regulator is bad or you could just take it down to auto zone.

[esskater892]

bump. i need info on this too.

also still looking at other post haha

[angus67]

just splurge and get a hi-output

[jay92889]

bump. i need info on this too.

also still looking at other post haha

My alternator internals just crapped out. Not immediately though, just slow and progressively. If you're having similar symptoms run the junkyard or something and replace yours!

Of course before you do this, if your battery light is always solid, check your brushes inside the alt. These are prone to wearing out and once they're worn there's no channel for the electricity to run through.

Try describing exactly what's up, I can tell you all about what issues you may have from experience. I've already have my unfair share.


So far I've had to repair/buy 3 different times.

First the brushes went, then long after replacing them the battery light stayed on all the time until it crapped out a few hundred miles later. Junkyard alternator, worked great for 5k, but started making funny rattling noises and shit out, so I got another, which had the voltage regulator go out and screwed the plug and wires in the process! Bad luck. I had to rewire half of the entire harness. It took a while but was well worth it. Not an issue now.

[BoSNiAN Honda]

I know why it does that

Trust me its ur alternator, im havein the same problem with my accord, but i didnt replace my alternator yet. also i noticed that if u play ur cd player it goes off and the car shuts off completely or it idels up and down. man lol i got a 1990 accord ex 250k+ miles lol we have the same problem... but trust me its ur alternator its not even chargeing. i went to checkers to have them test mine and it didnt work.. one way to test the alternator is to plug it in while ur car is runnin and spin the spinner and see if the red battery light goes off or on.. you have to do this right when u start ur car or else it wont pick up the charge and will just redirect itself to a bad alternator

[wed3k]

my brushes on my alternator were actually sticking so the light would stay on and off at random times.

236k on the original...

[H22Artman]

I've got a '90 Ex with 250k. I replaced my alternator about 4,000 miles ago with a decent junkyard one (mileage unknown). I would have gotten a better one with all of the internal components in it but you know how it is, when you need it it's not there, so I HAD no choice but to settle for the only one there, even though the voltage reg. and brushes were gone. I carried over the internals, including NEW brushes and had no problems at all. Anyway, today I drove to college, and drove back. NO PROBLEMS, and the alternator was working for a fact. I park up at home and head out a couple hours later and my charging light comes on and stays on solid? What the hell? When rpm's are above 1800 the light goes away, but there's still NO output whatsoever. There are no weird noises either like my last one made before its final days, nothing. Also, under 1800rpms a couple times the battery light went away at idle, but only to come back a few seconds later. Speaking of idle, it bounces like crazy, whereas it never did before these alternator issues.

Just to test it I put a large load on the car and let it idle in the driveway and it died. Clearly the alt isn't putting out SHIT for output. Before it died I also gave it gas here and there and it had no effect on the brightness of the dim headlights/dashlights. I've checked the plug which plugs into the alt, and it's fine and I've also checked the belt as well.

What's wrong here?! The brushes were brand new. Could it be the voltage regulator or am I just screwed and need a new alt all together?

Of all days to screw up it had to be today, where I need to run around 100+ miles tomorrow, as well as run to NASA for a project.

Thanks in advance though, Jay.

why do you guys even bother rebuilding JY alternators?

just buy one from your parts house and have a warranty with it.
its not that much money. and by the time you go thru 3 alternators youve already paid for the hassle.

[BoSNiAN Honda]

Problem with idelin

Hello, Ive got a 1990 honda accord ex/lx, i got in a accident and broke my radiator and my alternator... well my alternator went out befor the accident but anyways. I got a new alternator and replaced it. i went to try the car and it needed a new battery. So i went to walmart and got a battery and went home and started the car, without the radiator in it. Anyways now my idelin goes up and down when i do somethin to my car, like press the brakes in. What could be causein this problem?? could it be the radiator is not in?? or is it something to do with the censor??? plz help!!!

[jay92889]

Hello, Ive got a 1990 honda accord ex/lx, i got in a accident and broke my radiator and my alternator... well my alternator went out befor the accident but anyways. I got a new alternator and replaced it. i went to try the car and it needed a new battery. So i went to walmart and got a battery and went home and started the car, without the radiator in it. Anyways now my idelin goes up and down when i do somethin to my car, like press the brakes in. What could be causein this problem?? could it be the radiator is not in?? or is it something to do with the censor??? plz help!!!

It's probably because the radiator isn't in it there's a vacuum leak causing your erratic idle. I wouldn't suggest running it like that without a radiator at all for longer than 30 seconds or so!

[jdm_inspired]

Well it could be your alternator belt. Had some symptoms like mines. If it isnt and you need an alternator, holler at me. I live in Vallejo not too too far from you. I have an OEM one and a 170 amp high performance one before I got my swap. Both are 100% working condition, but I thought it was my alternator so I went all out. It turned out to be the belt.

Lemme know what you decide. Just PM me.

[Losiracer2]

it could be your plug that doesn't snap on anymore. On the voltage regulator, there is a little knub that the clip for the alt. wire plugs onto. If that little TINY plastic piece is broken off, your alt. wire will wiggle off from engine vibrations. Since mine broke off, I just put a strong ziptie over it, through one of the loops in the plug and alt. itself. Its been working fine for over 2 months now, hasn't wiggled itself loose or anything.