Woke up again this morning

[Gordy]

À lot of auto manufacturer s have put a clutch in the drive pulley on the alternator. This allows the alternator to spin down when the engine is shut off. Replacing the clutch is cheaper than a new alternator but requires some dedicated tools.

Spike

OH GREAT just what we needed something else to break. Where are those engineers


Gordy

[Timj]

I woke up this morning and it seemed to be a good day. Went shopping for a small Christmas tree at home depot. When I was about to leave the parking lot I noticed the voltmeter on the little USB charging port that I installed in place of the cigarette lighter shows 12.01 volts!

Turned off headlights and heat and made it home ok. Looking for an alternator now.

merry flipping Christmas

[Eugen]

Right guys, my Christmas present, a $320 Remy rmanufactures alternator.

[Spike188]

The theory for the clutch is it takes stress off of the serpitine belt and tensioner. I replaced a battery first then found out that the clutch was failing. @eugen I bought the battery and the reman alternator.

Spike,

Still learning at the school of hard knocks. (Most days)

[Eugen]

I don't think I have a clutch on the alternator. I do have one on the AC compressor, but I replaced it this summer.

Anyway, I'm not sure it's the compressor 100%. Evidence kind of points to it though. For instance, the drive to the place where I got the replacement tonight is about 25 minutes. The voltage at idle was around 12V. Revving up would bring the voltage up, which is what I did at stop lights


https://vimeo.com/654368827






Had to keep lights on but heat was off. Was not sure I'd make it to the store and back but I did.

[DavidBarkey]

À lot of auto manufacturer s have put a clutch in the drive pulley on the alternator. This allows the alternator to spin down when the engine is shut off. Replacing the clutch is cheaper than a new alternator but requires some dedicated tools.

Spike

Yes , but in this case the alt. is computer controlled . Daimler brought that shit to Chrysler and the first year there was about 50 % failure rate . The tools to replace them are more than 2 alt. and you could get them with out the clutch and a simple pulley that always worked .

Dave

[DavidBarkey]

À lot of auto manufacturer s have put a clutch in the drive pulley on the alternator. This allows the alternator to spin down when the engine is shut off. Replacing the clutch is cheaper than a new alternator but requires some dedicated tools.

Spike

OH GREAT just what we needed something else to break. Where are those engineers


Gordy

The last I saw while I was still on the bench , most manufactures got away from the (sprag)clutches and went to strictly computer controlled regulators based on system load. The clutches failure rate was to high and costing to much in warranty . Plus computer control was cheaper to make . Eugen's Ridgeline is computer controlled.

Dave

[DavidBarkey]

I don't think I have a clutch on the alternator. I do have one on the AC compressor, but I replaced it this summer.

Anyway, I'm not sure it's the compressor 100%. Evidence kind of points to it though. For instance, the drive to the place where I got the replacement tonight is about 25 minutes. The voltage at idle was around 12V. Revving up would bring the voltage up, which is what I did at stop lights


https://vimeo.com/654368827






Had to keep lights on but heat was off. Was not sure I'd make it to the store and back but I did.

Most likely the the brushes are worn out , but could be the rectifier or the regulator . All of which is replaced with the alt.

Dave

[Eugen]

When I replaced the AC compressor clutch, I had to take out the alternator to get working space there. The bearings were definitely dry and, while not loose, they were making noise when rolled. Took out the brushes and cleaned the rotor on which the brushes touch. The brushes still had what I thought to be enough material to go for a while. However, I made a mental note that I should try and find a kit of bearings and brushes to replace the old ones. That was about a year and a half ago, I think. Well, it definitely slipped through the cracks. At least if I had bought an alternator to have on stand by. Rock auto and a local auto parts supplier both have remanufactured alternators which are at least $100 cheaper than the one I got. But now we need the car asap and cannot wait for a week until it gets delivered. It is what it is, sometimes you just bite the bullet, smile, and go forward. I don't always win. When I lose, I try to not be a sore loser.

Oh, I forgot to mention. The old alternator was very hot to touch when I got back from the store last night. This makes me think that the bearings are most likely the issue. I'll take it apart when I pull it out, we deserve a post mortem analysis.

[Eugen]

Back to regular schedule now, I suppose. With the new alternator we get a normal voltage on the rail. Good.