At work. I think my alternator failed.

[LEX]

I have no tools to properly diagnose it. I took off to lunch. I noticed it started hard. Then my radio was clicking on and off with the battery light on. I felt it limp some. Battery is a Diehard that's about a year old. Came back to work. Turned it off and started again just fine. No light. Tried one more time and nothing. The alternator was whining for a few weeks now, but I put it off too long.

Does it sound like an alternator failure? A shop down the street is charging me $145 labor alone to swap it as I'm short on time and the weekend is too far along to wait to do it myself. Going to have to get a jump. Its a '99 with ~166k miles.

 

[2001LC]

Wal-Mart and many Auto parts store will test alternator, free.

Power steering pump, Idler and Tension pulleys will also whine, more so when cold.

Note: No grease on battery terminals will allow a tarnish to build on them, reducing effectiveness of connection. Which will make it appear battery or alternator bad. They'll look gray, clean & dry... not good.

 

[flintknapper]

I would look to your battery and connections first. When you were driving the vehicle did you look to see if the ammeter was charging? If it was...chances are your alternator is still working (even if in need of replacement).

Pull your headlights on and see if they look bright. If they are...your battery is probably good, which also means your alternator is at least charging it some.

If when you go to crank the engine....if it turns over slowly, clicks but doesn't start or doesn't click at all, your starter might be suspect. I'd check battery condition first then go from there. Always check the simple things (good grounds, condition of battery leads and connections).

 

[LEX]

Thanks for the quick replies, everybody. I got a jump from a co-worker. Started driving to the shop. Drove fine and the battery light came on as soon as I pulled up. They ran a test and it definitely is the alternator. I checked around for noises before and found the whine coming from it. I've waited too long to change it so now I gotta pay.

 

[LEX]

All done and the quiet purring of the idle is back. For those curious, labor was $170. Got a 100 amp from Advanced Auto. I know, I know. I was desperate and I used a $40 off coupon which turned the cost to around $85 with the core exchanged and they delivered it to the shop. Lifetime warranty. I tried to explain an easier way of swapping from what I've learned on mud to cut time and cost down, but he wasn't trying to hear it. I needed it done since my LC is my bread and butter. Lesson learned. Don't wait too long when you know something is going to fail soon.

 

[ColoradoCarlisle]

Great deal
I would have gladly paid 170 For labor on my alternator
Love a bit of rust
Love laying on hot concrete in the sun in 98 degree heat

Got mine done so im happy but yes do not wait
Mine went out one week after i spent three days in the middle of nowhere in wyoming
1hour from the closest town
Could have been ugly

 

[Lowbudgetlc100]

get the car start pull one side of the battery terminal off. if the car dies. alternator

 

[LEX]

get the car start pull one side of the battery terminal off. if the car dies. alternator

That's old school. Not sure if that's even safe to do on vehicles with so many electronics like ours?