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Alternator problem???

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Offline hemiwin

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Alternator problem???
« on: December 04, 2007, 08:01:50 PM »
A couple of months ago, my samurai wouldn't hald a charge so I bought a new battery for it.  It ran (and started) fine until recently.  It has to be jumped everytime. When running everthing works fine (lights, radio,wipers,heater).

I just hooed up my Meyer snowplow, and when it is operated the samurai dies immediatley.

Is this the alternator??
Will the 105 amp petroworks alternator solve this?

It worked perfectly all last winter with the stock alternator, and battery.  Is the alternator just going bad???

THANKS
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Offline sidekicksrock

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Re: Alternator problem???
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2007, 09:36:39 PM »
A short trip to Autozone or any other chain retailer will give you the information you want. They all have a machine they can hook up which will tell you exactly what is wrong.
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Offline Drone637

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Re: Alternator problem???
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2007, 09:37:41 PM »
Disconnect the battery, then hook up your multi-meter in an ammeter setup.  That should tell you the current your vehicle is using while the ignition is off.

Or go to Autozone like sidekicksrock mentioned.  :P

I would guess that you have something shorting out.  If it was the alternator then while driving your lights would dim then die, and your engine would die soon after.  Then you wouldn't be able to restart until someone jumped your vehicle and recharged your battery.

As for the Samurai engine going dead when the snowplow is used, does it work after the engine dies?  Also, did this problem surface right when the plow was installed?
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Geneurai

Re: Alternator problem???
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2007, 10:30:54 AM »
I had the same problem with my 88 Sammy. The alternator light never came on, so I figured it couldn't be a charging probem, but found out it was a low charge rate. The first person to tell me it was alternator got a real earful of obsenities since it seemed to charge while running but the battery would discharge sitting for a couple days, sometimes three or four days. If I drove it every day it worked fine. But my money is on the alternator diode.
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Offline daddyizzle

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Re: Alternator problem???
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2007, 02:20:43 PM »
When my alternator went bad, I was running down the highway at about 75 and it started raining. I turned on the lights and wipers. Then I turned on the heater blower. Radio was already on. My engine bogged down and almost died until I turned off the blower. My bet is on your alternator. Not sure if you need a 105 amp alternator but it sure couldn't hurt.

Napa and autozone tested mine and it was bad. The new one tested bad too. Two others tested bad. I took my chances that their tester was malfunctioning. 13 months and I haven't had a problem with the new one. ;D

-Adam
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Offline hemiwin

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Re: Alternator problem???
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2007, 02:58:27 PM »
Thanks, I just ordered the 105 amp Alt. kit.

The snowplow uses a lot of juice.  I am also adding offroad lights, so I figuire it is a must anyway.

THANKS
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Offline SnoFalls

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Re: Alternator problem???
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2007, 04:03:37 PM »
Quote from: hemiwin on December 05, 2007, 02:58:27 PM
Thanks, I just ordered the 105 amp Alt. kit.

The snowplow uses a lot of juice.  I am also adding offroad lights, so I figuire it is a must anyway.

THANKS
yea, that's a good bet ...
I'm guessing the plow goes/up/down with battery (and the extra lights) will require some extra juice from an alt (just because it's not a "one shot" that a bigger better battery could take).
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Offline lil_Truck

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Re: Alternator problem???
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2007, 10:30:32 AM »
For a quick check use a volt meter.

With a fully charged battery:

Check battery before doing anything.  Should be around 12.5 v.

Have someone start the vehicle, and the voltage should not go below 9.5 volts.


After vehicle is started voltage should read 14+ volts.

Turn on everything is the vehicle.  Voltage should not drop below 12 volts.
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Offline Digger

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Re: Alternator problem???
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2007, 11:22:38 PM »
Double check the body ground, too. My friend's body ground went bad and caused the rig to run rough and almost die if he turned the headlights and offroad lights on... Turned out that his entire body was trying to ground through a smallish gauge wire on the distributor...
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dicedaniels

Re: Alternator problem???
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2008, 06:00:05 PM »
fuseable link most likely went byebye
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