weak alternators?

[relicduke]

New to Trackers,love 'em so far. I'm driving a '92 tin top,am building a '91 and have a '96 Sunrunner for parts.
My first question is: do these things have weak alternators?The alt. went on the '92 so I took the one off the '96{yes it worked,been running it}and it screamed for five seconds and locked up{?}I bought a new one and after about a week it has started to twitter.
The alt.on the '91 twitters too for a bit when it's first started.
Thanks
Poverty is the mother of invention

[CodyJ]

I only deal with Geo Trackers, never encountered a sunrunner, but all the same in many factors. Mine has a remanufactuered one. Sometimes to much tension on the belt can cause a failure of the waterpump/alt.

[noisey jack]

Look on ebay for bracket Wireing Alt. For 105 amp GM Alt.

[96snowtracker]

Originally Posted by relicduke

New to Trackers,love 'em so far. I'm driving a '92 tin top,am building a '91 and have a '96 Sunrunner for parts.
My first question is: do these things have weak alternators?The alt. went on the '92 so I took the one off the '96{yes it worked,been running it}and it screamed for five seconds and locked up{?}I bought a new one and after about a week it has started to twitter.
The alt.on the '91 twitters too for a bit when it's first started.
Thanks
Poverty is the mother of invention

Someone told me there is a conversion kit out there that enables tracker/kicks to run a chevy ac delco self exiting alternator. Chevy ran this alternator for like 20 years in a ton of different vehicles so there are many many different amperage's to choose from. They are also very affordable. Does anyone know of a link where this conversion can be purchased?

[automated11]

eBay Motors: GEO TRACKER SIDEKICK 1.6 105AMPGM ALTERNATOR CONVERSION (item 230317597699 end time Jan-10-09 20:13:53 PST)

[jtgh]

weak as in unreliable ,not low amps out , right.?

twitter. (is that making some kind of sound?) NOISE . making a racket. BAD.

belt tension is 1/4 deflection at 22psi. center point. FSM.

if the bearings are good , the alt. will run for ever , maybe even another17 years.

you expected 17 more years.? LOL


let me tell you, i have rebuilt many alts. (and gen sets too)
Many rebuilds have crappy $1 China made bearings added, they are absolute junk.
aaahhhh but a good guarantee, eh?

first learn to dismantle them , then pull the bearings.
then go to a top notch bearing distributor and buy matching mm German bearings or good Timken bearings,
they will last as long and possible now. 100km ? at least.

did you know Suz sells all the internal parts to your alternator , unlike most other car companies?


if the alt makes noise, check the tension.
too loose , belt squeals,
too tight, kiss of bearings. This will kill them in short order.

Buy a tension gauge and set it proper.

cheers.


PS: top bearing supplies sell bearings (not autostores, OMG) but manufactures sell bearings with quality rating.

when the make them not all are perfect , so they get graded and then sold for there value.
buy direct from the disti and get exactly what quality you desire. Many folks dont know this fact.
Expect the better bearings to be, more expensive. maybe $1 more....

they also have newfangled ceramic bearings now. try them. amazing things, they are.

there are many other failure modes. , will post them later.

[relicduke]

Yes. Thanks
Whoda thunk a little four banger would be so complicated? I thought I would be running Chevy small blocks forever.All these years with those and Triumph pushrod twins,who needed a tool to adjust the fan belt,live and learn.
thanks again.
PS,I,m going to try that AC thing,but make my own bracket.

[jtgh]

yah , id dont use tool on v belts, i have a feel for it , but i do on serpentines.

some put a broom handle behind the alt, loosen in and the pull 100 lbs on the end.
netting 300 lbs.
hard to believe but ppl do it.

for those with ham arms and grips, please buy a tool
I know a heavy truck diesel mech that is like that , but that is normal for him.

LOL.

[GaryS]

Mine tends to squeal a bit at cold start up and when it gets wet. That must mean it is too loose. I noticed the smell of hot rubber when I got home today. Maybe there is a connection!

[jtgh]

or the bearing are seizing.
if the the tension on the belt is good 1/4 deflection at 22lbs.
used belt, .24 to .31 deflection FSM page 6D3-3 Figure 3
new belt, .20-.27 inches delflection.
Imagine a 20 lbs turkey resting on your thumb, HAHAHAHAH

if it is tight , and squeals then the belt is bad ,the alternator is bad
or the brackets are bent. (bent pulleys?)

If you need the alternator rebuild guide i can scan it.


the the bearings siezing.

drop belt feel it as you spin spin it with fingers, if not super perfectly smooth , IT WILL FAIL SOON.

or listen to the bearings with a stethoscope (mechs) this will sound like a very low subdued buzz, ( a hissing sound is normal)
to undertand this . then listen to the other bearings,. P/S Water pump or
on another car.
learn this sound, then listen to yours. bad ones or ones about to fail will be
real loud. bad comes in degrees.

$3 at Harbor Freight stores everywhere. (usa)


The FSM has the complete tear down of alternator and rebuild.
and all sub component tests.
and how to lock the brushes back.


this is all old school stuff here, (no diff, then any chev small block)
my newest car the ENGINE ECU controls the Alternator , in fact the alternator has no regulator inside. now that is high tech.

coming soon, is no Alternator.
1: solar cell on roof, toyota and honda.
2: nano cell thermo couple device ( you can buy it off shelf) that fits on exhaust manifold
this device turns waste heat in to charging power.

now that , is bleeding edge.

cheers.