Alternator, Voltage Regulator problem? (C900 - 85 turbo)

My saab died on me at the gas station the other day. I got a jump and back on my way. After that point, I kept seeing the battery light(and the light just to the left of it) come on very brightly. I immediately thought it was the battery going dead from running a small electrical device off the cigarette lighter, so I unplugged it, and gave it gas for a few to try and let the alternator build back some charge in the battery. This also failed, and required a tow home. So I took the battery to the local autozone today, had them charge it back up, and the battery tested good. I plugged the battery back in tonight, and the car turned right over. I took it for a 1/2 mile run around the block, and no problems, other than the pesky battery light(and the light to the left of the battery light) staying on.. It ran for a total of about 20 minutes. I turned it off, and tried to turn it over again. No luck.. it acts as if it's not getting a bit of power. At this point, i'm thinking alternator or possibly the voltage regulator, but I'd like to get some input, or see if there's anything I can try before either rebuilding it, or buying another one. I can get my hands on a volt meter if that would help troubleshoot.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

-LC

Reply to
LC
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"LC" wrote in news:VX6%d.22642$ snipped-for-privacy@newssvr33.news.prodigy.com:

Alternator. Drive the car to Autozone. They've got an analyzer they can hook up to it and tell you if the alternator is charging the battery or not. The test is free. They're usually pretty good about explaining to you what the readings mean. From what you say, I'd say it's the alternator. Been there, replaced that.

Reply to
Laura K

That usually means the carbon brushes in the alternator need replacement. In the 900 alternator, the brush holder also holds the integrated voltage regulator. The brush holder/regulator is available as a replacement part and it is easy to replace (two screws). It may be possible that there are deep grooves worn in the copper contact surface of the rotor (the commutator) and in that case the entire alternator has to be replaced.

Since your alternator was not charging the battery, the car's entire electric system (not only some device plugged in the cig lighter) is running on the battery only, causing it to discharge rapidly.

-- MH '72 97 '77 96 '78 95 '79 96 '91 900i 16v

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Reply to
MH

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