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Author Topic: Requesting Alternator info.  (Read 2392 times)

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SMC4WD

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Requesting Alternator info.
« on: November 21, 2005, 03:51:50 PM »
So the Jeep sat for almost two months...  
I finally had a change to take it up in the woods (Mt. Rainier area).  I drove it to and from work on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.  No problems...  
Through the main battery on a battery charger overnight Saturday night not knowing that I was in for trouble.  
Sunday morning I should have suspected trouble.  After charging all night...  It still wouldn't start.  So I rolled it backwards, pulled up the wife's truck to jump start it, and had no problems.  
I started and stopped it numerous times on the way to the trailhead, and even heading up the 311 trail.   Got to a place where someone needed help so I turned off the engine and it wouldn't restart.  I got a jumpstart and continued on up.  But then the engine had issues...   Backfiring, lunging, not holding an idle at all.
I pulled this distributor cap and cleaned that all off, and also checked the spark plugs...  All of these were fine.
We kept my Jeep running, connected another vehicle to mine and, Varroomm, the idle kicked up & Jeep ran flawlessly.  Came to the conclusion that the alternator was toast.
We turned off my Jeep and let the other Jeep charge my battery via his alternator.  I drove it down to the trailhead, locked it up (I had on the doors and hardtop) and then I became a passenger (First time ever since I've owned a Jeep!)  
We charged up the battery and I limped it home.  Dense fog with no lights...  nighttime approached, no lights...  Black Jeep in stealth mode...  That was scary!!

So after that story...  And if any of you stuck around...  Here's in lies the question:

It's not my daily driver anymore.  So I have 3 options...  
#1  Go to NAPA/Schucks/whatever and buy a new one.
#2  Buy a great alternator (example= Mean Green)
#3  Take mine out and get it 're-wound', take it too an electric shop and have them work this one to be 'bigger/badder/better'

Here's the kicker...  Wife's pissed that I take it out and something goes wrong.  Worst than that, she claims "no money until income taxes!"  That's February!!

My preference is to get this re-wound.  Has anyone done this??  What's the cost difference and benefits compared to a Mean Green (or equivalent)??  

Please help!!  I can’t wait until February!!
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Offline Jeffy

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2005, 06:01:32 PM »
I'd go with a reman from a higher amp application.  Check the FAQ.
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Offline Bounty Hunter

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2005, 07:27:09 PM »
What year jeep/type of alternator?  An ACDelco unit can be rebuilt and rewound for higher output.  A later-model NipponDenso can't be rewound for higher output but the 136A unit from a late '90s Dodge truck or fullsize van will be nearly a direct bolt-in.
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SMC4WD

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2005, 08:56:57 PM »
ok..  I can sit around and wait for more responses, or I can jump in (impatiently) and ask...

Jeffy...  I read the FAQ's...  * what additional modifications?  136 amp...  That's alot compared to stock (90 amp), but what's a Mean Green put out?  And how much is a Mean Green, or Wrangler Products NW or Premier cost?  (Ok, I know that's a open ended question, not requesting an official price comparision)(unless someone with a faster connection than I have here at home wants to check things out for me).

So comparing is one question, ease of installation (not changing pulleys or belts) is another thing, and cost being a huge factor (remember the income tax thing?)

Bounty Hunter asked  "What year jeep/type of alternator?"  Are you asking me this?  So if I have an AC/Delco, I can get it rewound?  It's in a 1994 YJ...  I'll have to look at what brand it is...  That'll be a question the shop will ask too.

I dunno... I just know that I need to improve...   If something breaks, never put the same thing in there, put something better!!
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Offline Jeffy

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2005, 09:19:31 PM »
The Mean Green is $369.  I beleive it's rated at 200amp.

I believe a new 136amp will cost around $120-270 depending on if you want a reman or a new and from who.

Salvage is probably $50 or less.
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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

roadkill

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2005, 09:20:10 AM »
just food for thought but I was wondering what size alternator my TJ had so went and referenced the build sheet I got from a memebr of JU when he worked at a dealership.  my 01 came with foglights and tow hooks and ac.  another thread on JU had mentioned that all but the basic stripped down TJs had a larger alterantor than 90 amps on them, something about it being part of a conveince group.  well according to the build sheet I have it has the 117 amp alternator.  so you may indeed have a larger alternator than you think.
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SMC4WD

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2005, 11:54:11 AM »
I have a YJ, not a TJ...

But are these two alternators interchangable?
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Offline Bounty Hunter

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #7 on: November 23, 2005, 07:49:56 PM »
Your '94 should be a NipponDenso alternator, so the 136A unit will bolt in.  I got mine from a parts yard, over the counter, for $45.

Your '94 should be 70A or 90A, I was thinking YJ's are 70A but not sure.

To bolt in the 136A, swap the plastic boot on the back from the old alternator to the new, they're clocked differently.  The metal bushing in one mounting arm may need pushed forward or back a little (easy) to line up correctly.

The 136A may have an extra pulley groove, you can use it and leave one groove open (make sure the belt's lined up with other pulleys) or swap pulleys with your current alt.

The 70A to 136A is almost a 2x upgrade, plenty worth it.  Even for a 90A to 136A.
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SMC4WD

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #8 on: November 23, 2005, 09:34:45 PM »
So good news, but also bad news...  

One of the guys I went wheeling with on Sunday upgraded his alternator.  So just out of the blue, he came in with his old one and just gave it to me.  Whoo hoo!!  I went to NAPA and had them bench test it and it came up fine.  
So I have a 4 day weekend to take out the old and put in the new.  So this will get me back to how I was.  And that's the bad news...  I strive for the 'bigger/better/badder philosophy, but with Xmas coming, and money getting tight, I guess a free direct replacement isn't anything to shake a stick at.  Just not what I intended.  

So when I pull out my bad one, the first thing I'm going to do is to bench test it. Obviously make sure that truly is the problem.  Then I’ll see how much it is to get it fixed, or re-wound tighter.  I found the neatest information about the alternator testing at this site
http://www.misterfixit.com/alterntr.htm

And repair information here
http://www.fourwheeler.com/howto/86978/

So? Is this incident done?  Was all this information for lent?  Naww!!  I learned a lot, and I know that with all the accessories that I am running, I must upgrade my alternator.  Maybe if this used one doesn’t hold up (and with all my power draws, I wouldn’t be surprised), I’ll get the bigger/better/badder one that I dream of.

The least expensive that I've found:
http://stores.ebay.com/Alterstart_Jeep_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Thank you all for the advice, especially when I needed it.  If something major comes up…  I’ll post it!

Thank you!
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Offline Bounty Hunter

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #9 on: November 23, 2005, 10:00:12 PM »
Forget about rebuilding your NipponDenso, and most of what you linked to is ACdelco info.  Running the ND alt. pretty much limits you to bolt-in replacements and not rebuilds.
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SMC4WD

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Requesting Alternator info.
« Reply #10 on: November 24, 2005, 02:54:08 PM »
Any info on that AlterStart company?
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