Alternator problems?

[veil_side_]

I'm not too well learned in the knowledge in this area so please excuse my newbiness.

'92 S13
Driving my car especially in the cold (its been averaging 20ºF). The car will drive fine and then out of nowhere, CD player shuts off, and the console clock dims and restarts itself. This will go on for a couple of secs or minutes but the car still drives fine. I don't know if the alternator is slipping or going bad or what. The engine doesn't feel hesitant or sputter or anything. I'm used to (damn Chevy) watching the speedometer and tach go crazy before the alternator dies in other cars. I don't know if its the same on Nissan's. Anyone have any ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The cables to the batteries seem fine unless they've started to wear out.

[Tyler Durdan]

It sounds like it's your alt. going out on you, or you could have a weak battery. I would have them both tested at any local parts store (most will do it for free). Check the battery first, so you don't have to go through the trouble of pulling off the alternator. Can't think of anything else.

[veil_side_]

Awww Crap. Thanks for the info but, talk about annoying, in the middle of winter!!! Well, I rather find this out now then on Rt. 50 on the way to school.

[S13Nissan240SX]

You may have an easier solution if you're lucky. It could be a bad ground connection. Once I had a bad connection to the ground terminal of the battery. I don't know if it was just a little loose, the terminal was too small, or what but I just didn't have a solid fit on there. It made my car (and my stereo) do all sorts of crazy crap. Before you do anything, just make srue all your connections are tight. Then work on the battery and then the alternator.

P.S. you can always go to Checker or Autozone and ask them to check the battery/alternator. They can do that with a multimeter right in the parking lot. Good luck

[veil_side_]

Originally posted by S13Nissan240SX
You may have an easier solution if you're lucky. It could be a bad ground connection. Once I had a bad connection to the ground terminal of the battery. I don't know if it was just a little loose, the terminal was too small, or what but I just didn't have a solid fit on there. It made my car (and my stereo) do all sorts of crazy crap. Before you do anything, just make srue all your connections are tight. Then work on the battery and then the alternator.

P.S. you can always go to Checker or Autozone and ask them to check the battery/alternator. They can do that with a multimeter right in the parking lot. Good luck

My stereo has been fritzin out too. I wonder if it could be that. Thanks for the advice.

[rash]

Well i had tha same problem few weeks ago and the problem was the alt..and not the bat

if you know what is the problem..you need star the engine put the rev in 2x100 and unplug the negative and positve cable from the battery after that i fthe engine turno off the problem is the alternator .because when you star the engine the alt make 2 things 1 charger the bat and 2 send a/c to the engine..

Maybe you need to replace the bat but you can check it...

I hope you fix it.