96 gt alternator or charging problems - Auto Sparkys help pls

[lunacy]

Hey all

We have a automatic 96 bg5 GT legacy wagon.

Last October the car died suddenly one day while driving, after the srs and a couple of other dash lights came on.

Got the car checked by the auto sparky and he said alternator just wasnt charging. Managed to jump it with a jumper pack.

I replaced it with a 2nd hand one from Strongs, which lasted a couple of months then died the same death.

Have had 2 more since then, all do the same thing lasting 4 weeks or so then die, so am wondering now if there is something causing the car to eat alternators, or if ive just been extremely unlucky and have had a whole heap of bad ones from Strongs.

Battery is only 2 years old and has tested fine.

Im kind of at a loss now, its my wifes daily driver so really need it running reliably.

Anyone with any thoughts or ideas much appreciated

Cheers

[DRFVDR]

It would not take much of an issue to cause a suspect alternator to give up the ghost.

I would get one of the used ones recond,So you know it's not that,check all wiring,when the battery was checked how was it checked as a voltage check won't show much,it needs to be draw tested to make sure

[lunacy]

Well got back home today after a week away and car wouldnt turn over.

Charged the battery up, and an hour later she starts no problems.

Thought id do a bit of a draw test on the battery and see where its losing volts.

With lights, aircon and hazards on 12.4V at alternator

Lights and aircon 12.6V at alternator

Just aircon 12.9V at alternator

All accessories off 13.9-14V at alternator

Thinking the aircon being on losing a whole volt may be an issue?

Any auto sparkys have any ideas?

Cheers

[DRFVDR]

that sounds about right

SOOOO alternator is working good

what u need to do is see what the battery goes down to on cranking

my guess is still a battery

[gazzy2000]

I guess the GO is.. next time it goes flat, jump start it to get it going then check the batt voltages while its running, if it is around 14volts you know its charging/alternator is OK, so it cud well be the batt

If the batt for example is crook and open circuits internally, the whole car electrics will purely run off the alternator which could stuff it in time.

If you suspect the batt after the above simple test, get an auto sparky to do a proper load test on the battery (it may well still be under warranty)

depending on what you find and $$ i would maybe get a fully recon alternator too, just so you know it wont cause any further issues, plus its piece of mind for wifey etc

Summary:

- next time it goes flat, jump start it & while its running test the charging volts (should be around 14v)

- if it IS charging OK, get the battery professionly tested (maybe replace/claim warranty)

- if NOT charging get a fully recon alternator

- failing all that.. report back to give us your results and we can post more info ;D

also if You cud borrow another battery out of another car to elimate the battery being the problem..

[lunacy]

Excellent thanks for the help guys will give all that a go