Need Help Diagnosing Problem on Talon

My '95 Talon AWD is my daily driver. I've got about 135,000 miles on it, now. Today, when I started it up to go to lunch, several weird things happened: first, I heard a belt screech, Then the Battery light, Brake light and Coolant lights came on. I immediately figured the alternator belt had broken (which would explain the Battery and Coolant lights). I opened up the hood and everything was OK, no broken belts. I drove it carefully to lunch and back with no problems except the damn lights on. Then I drove it home (about 12 miles) this evening. Upon opening up the hood, I could see that the battery had been boiling (I guess) as some of the acid had come out the vents. Voltage tested at 12.75 with the car off, and 17-19 volts with the car running. My Haynes manual says normal for engine running is 13-15 volts. Maybe the regulator in the alternator is shot and overcharging the battery? Any thoughts? I wonder what the Brake light has to do with any of this?
Open for any and all comments and suggestions. Thanks

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Originally Posted by Mark52

Maybe the regulator in the alternator is shot and overcharging the battery?

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Sounds like that is the problem. 17-19 volts is too high.

I'm thinking a bad alternator especially with a 17-19 volt reading.

May want to go get it tested at Vato-Zone.

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Originally Posted by Mark52

My '95 Talon AWD is my daily driver.

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There's your problem right there... ;)

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Originally Posted by sammm

There's your problem right there... ;)

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::Rimshot:

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Originally Posted by sammm

There's your problem right there... ;)

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Wait, now, I won D Stock Championship in that baby. She's getting on in years, but she's been very dependable up until today.

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Originally Posted by Mark52

Wait, now, I won D Stock Championship in that baby. She's getting on in years, but she's been very dependable up until today.

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You need to call guinness book of records, you have the only one that is reliable.

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Originally Posted by Majik

You need to call guinness book of records, you have the only one that is reliable.

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Or maybe even desire-able... ;)

No wonder he's so fast in a Miata; he's used to driving an over-charging Talon all week. Kinda like being on the track team and wearing ankle weights all week. ;)

So this morning I pulled the alternator and took it to Vatozone. They tested it and sure enough it was defective. Bought a new one, installed it, started the car, all was well-no lights on or anything. Turned the car off to close the hood and get all the tools out of the engine bay. Started the car again to move it out of the garage and the ::Censor:: ::Rant:: lights show up again! Did a voltage check at the battery and find that it is not being charged at all.
Could there be something amiss with the electronics of the car to fry the alternator or am I just the unlucky benefactor of a defective Vatozone alternator?

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Originally Posted by Mark52

So this morning I pulled the alternator and took it to Vatozone. They tested it and sure enough it was defective. Bought a new one, installed it, started the car, all was well-no lights on or anything. Turned the car off to close the hood and get all the tools out of the engine bay. Started the car again to move it out of the garage and the ::Censor:: ::Rant:: lights show up again! Did a voltage check at the battery and find that it is not being charged at all.
Could there be something amiss with the electronics of the car to fry the alternator or am I just the unlucky benefactor of a defective Vatozone alternator?

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Any Fire? You didn't let Thomas borrow it, did you?

Ya have them test the battery also?? May have a dead short in it that is killing the Alternator, especially since you boiled it just the other day.

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Ya have them test the battery also?? May have a dead short in it that is killing the Alternator, especially since you boiled it just the other day.

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Seems like if there were a short in the battery, it wouldn't be showing 12+ volts or even starting the car?

I had a problem in my eclipse that was causing a main fuse to blow for now reason. I know it isnt the same problem, but just thinking it could be some internal wiring problem that is causing the issue. Ofcourse it could be a bum alternator too. I would say when comparing the reliability of a DSM, and the reliability of a rebuilt autozone alternator your chances are 50/50 either way.

Remeber that Autozone bought out Chief Auto. I have had two bad Alternators from Autozone. I think they use an air nozzle to rebuild them(i.e. blow out the dust and set them on the shelf). QC is not included in the price, just a guarentee that you will be replacing them for the rest of your lifetime.:rolleyes:

I buy that kind of stuff (water pump, PS pump, alternator, etc...) from NAPA and have had excellent results over the years.

RJ

Some alternators have a seperate voltage regulator that goes bad.

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Originally Posted by Mark52

Could there be something amiss with the electronics of the car to fry the alternator or am I just the unlucky benefactor of a defective Vatozone alternator?

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Yep, they're built by Daimler Chrysler!



::Rimshot:



At least the engine hasn't ::Blowup:: like my sisters did!

I replaced my lifetime warranty alternator from PepBoys three times before I found the real problem. The bolt for the side mount battery (this is a GM quality product we're talking about) was stripped out. Once I replaced the bolt with an oversize that stayed in place, no more alternator replacements. Check your connections, and battery.

Took the alt. back to Vatozone this morning after church and it tested out as "failed". Got a replacement, installed it, cranked the car and all the damn lights came back on as before ::Censor:: ! But then I revved the engine up and the lights went off, and stayed off! Problem solved, at least for now. We'll see how long this one lasts.