Dash lit up like a Christmas tree as the voltage dropped...

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:17 pm

I don't know how long my Die Hard platinum lasted with no charge, but apparently the trip to Autozone to get it tested, with the lights and radio on, was enough to suck the last bit of juice out. The tech at the store could barely get 11 volts on it, so their diag gear wouldn't even test the alternator. We jumped it with a store battery and it ran fine, except for a loud rattling noise from the alternator pulley area. Disconnecting the negative of the battery killed the engine immediately....so it's at LEAST the alternator.

Has anyone had this combination of symptoms? The last replacement I had was nearly 60k miles ago and it was due to a seized clutch, not the alternator itself. I'm curious if it's worth trying to replace part of the assembly or just go with a unit purchase since the clutch is probably on its last leg, too.

Dan

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Dec 20, 2013 11:45 pm

Upon further inspection, it looks like there are little bits of metal (and a few larger bits) lining the outside cap of the pulley clutch. I COULD get a $100 pulley from a local mopar shop, then pay 25 bucks on amazon for the proper tool kit:
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-57650-Alternator-Decoupler-Tool/dp/B00AGWEUKI/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1387595560&sr=1-2&keywords=alternator+decoupler+pulley+tool+kit
...and MAYBE be able to get the clutch off. Hopefully there's nothing wrong with the alternator and it'll all magically work.

OR, I can go to advance and by the and OEM remanufactured unit with their store-brand label on it with a new clutch included, all nice and tidy and with a lifetime warranty:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_alternator--remanufactured--150-amps-toughone_20850151-p

Anyone disagree with the assessment?

Dan

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sat Dec 21, 2013 12:58 am

My alternator decided to go at tonight at 121k. It couldn't happen near home or at the shop but across the country. go figure :banghead:

TJ2 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:44 am

Dan,

Just from reading posts, it looks like most guys go with an alternator replacement. IIRC, it was suggested Autozone as a good source for non-Chinese rebuilds.

geordi · **Posted:** Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:31 am

Full unit from AutoZone. It even will come with the right clutched pulley.

dgeist · **Posted:** Sat Dec 21, 2013 10:17 am

BlackLibertyCRD wrote:

My alternator decided to go at tonight at 121k. It couldn't happen near home or at the shop but across the country. go figure :banghead:

Perhaps ours were twin alternators separated at birth and they couldn't go on without each other...

Big Montana · **Posted:** Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:40 am

TJ2 wrote:

Dan,

Just from reading posts, it looks like most guys go with an alternator replacement. IIRC, it was suggested Autozone as a good source for non-Chinese rebuilds.

I'm happy with mine after a year. It looks like the same body an everything. No problems.

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sat Dec 21, 2013 4:06 pm

Got one at AutoZone, all is fine now. The clutch was also blown with the plastic missing and fresh metal grinding out of it.

dgeist · **Posted:** Sat Dec 21, 2013 8:45 pm

BlackLibertyCRD wrote:

Got one at AutoZone, all is fine now. The clutch was also blown with the plastic missing and fresh metal grinding out of it.

Again, EXACTLY THE SAME

The freewheel was working in both directions quite well. The new one is in and much happier and I can put away my BatteryMinder. My only regret is that the reman. unit doesn't have the original casing sticker anymore and has a really big "Made in China" label plastered across it now. I'll have to address that...

Hexus · **Posted:** Sat Dec 21, 2013 9:07 pm

When mine crapped out I had it rebuilt because you couldn't find one of the darn things for less than $450. (4.5 years ago)

So far, so good.

Dash lit up like a Christmas tree as the voltage dropped...

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