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Car Trouble: 94 buick park ave alternator or mobile mech. suggestions?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by NateNate, Jan 25, 2010.

  1. NateNate

    NateNate Member

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    The alternator went out on my P.O.S Buick (94 Park avenue) does anyone know where i can get instructions online on how to replace it? Has anyone done this their self and if so is it fairly easy to do? If not does anyone know any cheap trust worthy mobile mechanics that you may have used in the past? Im at the coffee shop right now waiting for your help! :) Thank you for your help!
     
  2. RKREBORN

    RKREBORN Member

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  3. NateNate

    NateNate Member

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    Thanks, but i'm looking for instructions on how to change the alternator myself. Although those prices are pretty cheap for the part.
     
  4. Crudder

    Crudder Member

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    Your best bet, if you can't find it online, is to use a manual for your car (if you have it or can buy it). I'm pretty sure they have instructions on alternator replacement in there.
     
  5. ElPigto

    ElPigto Member
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    Wow changing the alternator can be hard depending on where it is located and which belts are connected to it. Good luck. Try searching autozone. I know when you search for parts they usually give you a job diagram for the particular part you are looking for. I know it won't give you many details on letting you know how put it on yourself, but I guess that's all I can recommend since I don't know where you could find the instructions.
     
  6. ling ling

    ling ling Member

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    how did you find out the alternator went out?
     
  7. NateNate

    NateNate Member

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    thanks folks, I talked to a friend and his is telling me it might be the solenoid (?) i never heard of that so i wouldn't know. Here is the story: I woke up one day and my car wouldn't start, i jumped it ant it was good to go. The next morning it wouldn't start again so i had to jump it again. This went on for about four days every morning. After the second time i had the battery checked and recharged. After recharging the battery it would still die over night on me. I stared unhooking the battery before i slept and hooking it back up when i would wake up. Sunday i would start my car and it would be a weak start, all day when i cranked my car it would get weaker and weaker until finally it wouldn't start at all. Thats where i am at now, when i turn the key over it doesn't even try to crank at all. Any ideas? sorry for the grammar i am rushing at this point
     
  8. Pistol Pete

    Pistol Pete Member
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    A dead give-a-way for a bad alternator is to start your car and then disconnect the battery. Once it is started your car's electrical system runs off the alternator. If the car dies after you disconnect the battery that is usually a sign that the alternator is not working and was running off your battery.
     
  9. NateNate

    NateNate Member

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    yeah i found out that trick too late, my car wont even start now.
     
  10. Pistol Pete

    Pistol Pete Member
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    I'm betting you have a dead cell in your battery. If your car battery is dead and you jump start it and you can drive it with no problem, it is most likely not your alternator.
     
  11. NateNate

    NateNate Member

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    Well my battery was fully charged yesterday and when tested was given off a good reading at the auto part store. When i installed it the lights and radio would work but the car wouldn't crank
     
  12. Crudder

    Crudder Member

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    From what I know, the solenoid also has ap lace in your starter. If that is an issue, it just might not be connecting properly and you might want to make see if it is in fact your battery, starter, or alternator. Sounds more like your battery but the solenoid issue (from what I've experienced) tends to be more aligned with problems of the starter.
     
  13. NateNate

    NateNate Member

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    if it was possible my battery how come it is giving off a good charge test?
     
  14. ling ling

    ling ling Member

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    how long did you drive before the battery died on you?
     
  15. NateNate

    NateNate Member

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    i would jump my car every morning and drive to work (about 15 minutes) then drive around all day until i got home at night. If i didnt unplug the battery at night then i would wake up to a dead or very weak battery
     
  16. Crudder

    Crudder Member

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    Sounds like your battery isn't doing its job. Are you sure there isn't something on in your car that is draining it (i.e., lights on or something)? If not, then it sounds like you need a new battery. But if the battery's voltage is at standard levels, then it could be something with the actual connectors...
     
  17. ling ling

    ling ling Member

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    I don't think it's the alternator.

    You jumped started it, and drove it. That means that the alternator is doing it's job.

    If the alternator was bad, you won't be able to run after disconnecting the jumper cable from the other car.
     
  18. NateNate

    NateNate Member

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    when i try to jump it now it does not start at all
     
  19. NateNate

    NateNate Member

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    if my alternator was completely bad, should i be able to jump start my car and it still run?
     
  20. ling ling

    ling ling Member

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    Does your car turn over when you jump it?
     

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