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Team California
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HELP! SC alternator question!
My SC lost it's charging system the other night while driving; it literally went from working fine to *nothing* while hauling rump on a twisty road. Tach started bouncing, radio turned off, lights fading, car kept running until battery ran out. It obviously is not charging and I'm about to pull the alternator, but can't remember one ever go that suddenly w/o any symptoms leading up, (weak charge, dash dim while idling, etc.). Could something have grounded from G-force of cornering? Battery is strong and secure in trunk. TIA.
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Denis Trump uses an autopen and votes by mail, in case anyone wonders. 
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02-25-2002, 06:26 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Marysville Wa.
Posts: 22,435
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if the brushes don't contact the commutator, the dash light won't light. it may just need brushes.
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https://www.instagram.com/johnwalker8704 8009 103rd pl ne Marysville Wa 98270 206 637 4071 |
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02-25-2002, 08:33 AM
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Team California
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thank you John
Dash light still works, (darn), but is dim because of discharged battery. Time for a new alternator, I guess. First legitimate mechanical failure I've had on this car, not bad.
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Denis Trump uses an autopen and votes by mail, in case anyone wonders.
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02-25-2002, 10:50 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Los Alamos, NM, USA
Posts: 6,044
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Before you pull and replace the alternator I'd first check and clean all the alternator wiring connections (grounds included). I recall the early '82's were built without the supplemental ground strap from the alternator to the top of the engine and depended instead upon a ground through the alternator frame to the fan shroud to the engine. There is a factory service bulletin which recommnds installing this ground strap but one has to partially pull the alternator to do so. Jim
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02-25-2002, 11:04 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Jenison, MI, USA
Posts: 5
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I had a similar problem with my '81 SC. As it turned out all I had to do was change the voltage regulator. The gauges settled down and the headlights are now at a constant luminance.
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02-25-2002, 12:51 PM
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