Experiencing electrical failure
 

Last night I was on my way home and the "Service ABS" light came on followed a minute later by another about the SRS, then the SES light a few seconds later. I raced into the nearest parking lot and shut down. It wouldn't restart. I had to have my wife come out with the jumper cables and jump start it. It ran fine for about 2 miles and everything started happening again, this time I lost my headlights and dash lights and the engine began cutting out before shutting it down and jumping it again for a good 20 minutes. I started the car and ran as fast as I could and got it about a block from home before everything went dead shortly before the engine died and I had to bring to the side of the road dead stick. (Ironically I went right past a Sheriff's deputy at 45 mph in a 25 with no lights on to save power and he didn't seem to care...)

Strangely, the battery light never came on.

I highly suspect the alternator is dead and the engine was running off the battery until it ran out of juice. Anyone else experience this? Any other alternatives? Somehow, I'm not convinced its the ECM.

Also, I saw either here or another forum some time ago where someone came up with a method of swapping in a much cheaper L-98 or LT-1 alternator. Can someone point me in the right direction here?

Re: Experiencing electrical failure
 

Just a quick follow up -- After charging the battery for a few hours now, voltage at the battery terminals is 12.27V with the engine running and 12.54V with the engine off. This seems to confirm my suspicion that the alternator isn't working and the engine is running off the battery. So how do you get to the alternator?

Re: Experiencing electrical failure
 

Looks like you've got a plenum pull in your immediate future.
I've got extra gaskets & the right tools.
I'm up in Folsom, drop me a call if you'd like some help.

TomC
'90ZR1 #792

Re: Experiencing electrical failure
 

Well im not sure about a plenum pull but I do know the Air cleaner unit and Air Horn and S-belt need to be removed. Are you sure TC I defer to you since I have never done the alternator job before but I sure gave that area a good look a couple of weeks ago when I did the Water pump ;)

Re: Experiencing electrical failure
 

Can be done without a plenum pull. Goldcylon has the right idea.

Re: Experiencing electrical failure
 

:dancing

Greg batten down the hatches bro its looking bad!!!!!!! Tell Ike to go Away Tinas not home !!!

Re: Experiencing electrical failure
 

Thanks guys, good information.
Saves lots of time.
I wasn't sure if the plenum had to come off or not. It didn't look like there was enough room to wiggle it out from under there without lifting off the plenum. It's been a couple of years since I've been under the plenum (thank gosh).

TomC

Re: Experiencing electrical failure
 

Yeah, I figure I will lose the power in the hacienda any minute now. Starting to blow pretty good. Adios !!

Re: Experiencing electrical failure
 

Whenever my SES light has gone on it was (just) the battery.
Removing the alternator is a lot of work however you get access to it.
Is there any way to test the alternator on the car? ie test it
under load?
I would do that first.
My $0.02
Good luck,
Ted

Oops, big FU. It was when my SYS light goes on, not SES. Sorry.
How do I know? My SYS just lit up, had to charge battery.

Re: Experiencing electrical failure
 

If your only getting 12.2 volts with it running sounds like the alternator.
Myrray's Auto Parts
Autolite #A145761 $112 + $18 core

Pete