Broken Alternator

OUMike · April 1, 2004

okay...so I leave work last night and I start my truck. I hear this wierd rattle that I'm not sure where is coming from. I try to drive home when all the sudden I getta battery light and temp gauge goes up. Then next thing I know power stearing is gone. My dad and I get a look at it and the belt has come off!! We pull the belt out and replace it (it probably needed it anyhow) and start the truck up...SAME RATTLE Now I'm startin' to get a little upset.

Upon further examination, the nut had come loose that holds on the drive gear for the alternator. After we tighted it up we see that its actually bent a little bit. This would explain the rattle and the belt coming off the motor. Its a good thing I got that 1 yr replacement on the Alternator.

Think this would have any effect on my AC not working properly??

PS- these trucks arn't fun to drive without power stearing...

Ben · April 1, 2004

Think the alternator came from a vehicle that had an accident that bent the shaft.

Alternators get tons of abuse and never really know what you are getting from rebuild house. Rep is key, as the ones with good rep says they do quality job of inspection before they rebuild'm

citydriver · April 2, 2004

Ever see the rear bearing blow apart...not a pretty sight or sound

Anyhow,when the retaining nut loosend,it may have bent the alt. cooling fan....

It may have affected the A/C if there wasnt enough juice(amperage) to keep the clutch engaged...just a guess

Wingnut · April 2, 2004

My 92 had the rear bearing go out....Yup...Noisy as H.E. double toothpick.

The whole thing didn't go until I popped the hood of course....Then it cracked really loud, and froze...Of course, the rest of the motor didn't stop so the belt got chewed up, slapped around and spun off. All in the span of the first 3 seconds after opening the hood.

I thought the truck was A-sploding.

OUMike · April 2, 2004

Yea, I just replaced alternator and all is good. It didn't effect AC though...compressor still actin' screwy

99silveradoz71 · April 3, 2004

Had the battery go dead twice recently in my cruiser at work(crown vic '02 I believe)...anyway, it now has a nice hum anytime the engine is running and when the radio is transmitting or receiving...gotta love electrical...and of course this is the car I got after my new one got taken from me when the guy right above me in seniority left(so I got his car )