C4 dodgy alternator..?

[waynester]

Took my '90 vette for a spin last night, with my new straight through 'duel' pipes..

Grin didn't last long, my battery light kept coming on every time i touched the throttle. I thought maybe a loose lead was to blame, as i have fitted one of those quick breaker connectors.
Nope, all tight.. in the end it just drained the battery and died. Only just got home in fact..!

I've recently had the car serviced, and exhaust fitted by Keith Beschi, so i checked with him and he suggests the alternator. Could be i reckon.

How much would this be and where to order from guys...??

[chrisx666]

The C4 Delco alternators are pretty poor - I had mine pack up just as you describe in my 91'.

I just took it to a motor factors that sold recon units. They had it rebuilt for me in a few days (there is nothing special about them). Looked like new. Was about £90 IIRC.

[waynester]

Cheers Chris..

[franv8]

Stock C4 alternator is a touch marginal - so they aren't a spectacularly durabe item. A frequent mod is to a Cadillac alternator (mine has this - I always wondered why the bracket had rubbed a little on the bonnet and why one of the stays was missing). Never had alternator trouble (that was the kiss of death...) and only flatteded the battery by either stupidity (leaving interior lights on) or leaving the car for extended periods.

I don't know the details of this, but if you are interested I'll see if it has any distinguishing marks/numbers on it.

[v8d]

I suggest carefully check wiring to Alternator and battery, and make sure the drive belt is correctly tensioned and not excessively glazed and shiny. If ok, stick your multimeter on VoltsDC across the battery terminals. If the battery still has some charge, it should read 12V or more. If thats ok, start the engine and run at a little over idle, you should now see 14V or more. If it doesnt go up much or not at all, the alternator has probably taken one up the pooter and its time to replace/rebuild. If you do see 14V, check again with lots of loads(lights, screen heater etc) switched on ensure its still nicely above 12V, at 1500rpm or more. One of these checks will give away the gremlin !
Hope this helps mate, - V8D

[Gixer]

waynester said:

as i have fitted one of those quick breaker connectors.

Before you do anything else take that off. I put one on my car when I got it a few years back I took it off after a couple of months - causing all sorts of electrical problems like you mention and a couple of non starts in the end. No probs since.

[v8d]

Gixer said:

waynester said:

as i have fitted one of those quick breaker connectors.

Before you do anything else take that off. I put one on my car when I got it a few years back I took it off after a couple of months - causing all sorts of electrical problems like you mention and a couple of non starts in the end. No probs since.

Gixer is right. Those things can be a pain. Put it all back to stock before you condemn any expensive bits. My tests above will show the problem, then see if it disappears when you remove that connector.

[Waynester]

v8d said:

Gixer said:

waynester said:

as i have fitted one of those quick breaker connectors.

Before you do anything else take that off. I put one on my car when I got it a few years back I took it off after a couple of months - causing all sorts of electrical problems like you mention and a couple of non starts in the end. No probs since.

Gixer is right. Those things can be a pain. Put it all back to stock before you condemn any expensive bits. My tests above will show the problem, then see if it disappears when you remove that connector.

Ok, will try that 1st, fingers crossed its that...

[Waynester]

Fixed!!

It was the -ve earth 'quick breaker' connector. I removed it, and all is fine..!