jmoss5723 Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 1984 BRAT. EA81. 5 Speed D/R. Tall center console from a wagon. The only modification to the wiring is a relay added into the starting circuit about 2 years ago to fix intermittent no-starts. This part probably isn't entirely relevant as I think the timing was likely a coincidence, but just to be thorough, here's what was going on when the lights came on: I've been doing some tree removals on my property and yesterday I was using the BRAT to drag the trunks of some pine trees across the yard in 4lo. There is a very steep embankment about 8 feet high that I was going up and over. Steep enough that even with a little bit of a run at it to build momentum, I was spinning tires a little in dry dirt to get up and over. It wasn't the roughest driving in the world, but not a trip around the block either. On one of my rides up the embankment, the dash suddenly lit up. AT Oil Temp, Brake Fluid, Stop Lamp, Rear DS Door. I find this very surprising because I don't have an automatic transmission or rear door, and my brake fluid and stop lamps seem to be just fine. I drove the car a short distance yesterday and noticed that the volt meter on the dash reads very low, but holds steady, my headlights are extremely dim, and the power steering is whining very loudly. Engine was running fine. The power steering might be a separate issue, but figured I'd include all the facts. Is this a dying alternator? Did something come unplugged? Bad ground somewhere? I haven't had a chance to investigate very far yet, so feel free to give me a head start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 Every time I've experienced this it's been a failing/failed alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Dawg Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 I second the failing alternator... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Dawg Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 I second the failing alternator... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Dawg Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 I second the failing alternator... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Dawg Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 I second the failing alternator... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 Typical alternator failure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted April 18, 2017 Author Share Posted April 18, 2017 Bummer. I bought that alternator from Advance Auto like 5 years ago. I would hope that I could expect it to last longer than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 Usually they come with lifetime warranty. See if you can just exchange it. Heard mixed reviews on those brands. Duralast etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted April 18, 2017 Author Share Posted April 18, 2017 Usually they come with lifetime warranty. See if you can just exchange it. Heard mixed reviews on those brands. Duralast etc. I'll bet that you have to have the receipt, which I almost certainly do not. I'm think that it might be time to upgrade! There is some nearly direct swap with a GM or Nissan alternator, right? Time to start searching... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 Get an alt for a 1990 Nissan Maxima and swap pulley's. Get the matching harness connector too. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 I'll bet that you have to have the receipt, which I almost certainly do not. I'm think that it might be time to upgrade! There is some nearly direct swap with a GM or Nissan alternator, right? Time to start searching... I've had them look it up by name/phone number on brake pads. i think they take the info down for the warranty info. Especially if you have a rewards account its worth trying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoss5723 Posted April 18, 2017 Author Share Posted April 18, 2017 Get an alt for a 1990 Nissan Maxima and swap pulley's. Get the matching harness connector too. GD That's the one! I've had them look it up by name/phone number on brake pads. i think they take the info down for the warranty info. Especially if you have a rewards account its worth trying. Definitely worth trying. I wouldn't mind an upgrade, but free replacement is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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