Bad alternator?

[komete]

I was out driving today with the radio and ac on. Drove about 20 miles on a freshly rebuilt motor. BTW I just replaced the battery about a week ago. Anyways on my way home I see a cop and flash my headlights to let other drivers know to slow down. As soon as I flicked the hi-beam bam the car dies but comes right back on. I'm going about 40. I do it again and bam it happens again. I learned my lesson and didn't do it again. When I reached my house I turned the lights on and the idle drops and the car dies.

I checked the battery with my volt meter and I'm getting 13.28 while running and I think it was 12.8something with the car off. I think last week it was 13.4something running. Does it sound like my alternator is on its way out?

[240rhd]

I don't think you have a bad alternator... but the stock alternator just not strong enough .... so what you need is get a high output (aftermarket) alternator...

I also have a 95 240sx s14 and I am saving money to get a hight output alternator soon so I can put better stereo system, new alarm and rebuild A/C in my car....

Check this thread out, very good info...

zerothread?id=131961

[krazydriver]

Yeah that sounds a little low.I get ~14.3 with the engine running. BTW, i did the quest alternator swap. it's not hard, and my lights don't dim at night when my electric fan kicks on anymore.

[r3v_v3ng3]

it could be the alternator cause while the engine is running you should be getting at least 13.5-15v

[Vegascorbin]

You have a bigger problem than the Altinator. BYW I am not convinced it is bad.

What is /was shorting out to kill the motor when you turn on high beams.

If the problem was just the altinator the battery should have been able to cover the load.

Find the short and then retest the altinator.

[jinjinweiwei]

mine is doing the same thing and I hear a click at driver's side when it happens. Vegascorbin can you give us a place to start looking? thanks!

[jinjinweiwei]

guys I really need your help! Thanks!

[NISSAN240SX12]

well since you have a new battery. you should at least check the alt. start your car and leave it at idle. disconnect your battery to see if it stays running. if it dies right away then its your alt. never hurts to try.