MX-3.com

yo. k well got another problem! my battery light wont go off.. my car has never died from loss of battery power or anything.. but when i punch it and just drive the piss out of it.. the light dims right out so its barily on.. but when i break hard.. it FLYS on so bright. Ive checked my battery terminals there a-ok.. and ive checked the alternator belt and its tight...everything i check seems to be a-ok.. Would this be caused by a Weak alt? any info is very appreciated.. please and thanks.

The brushes in the alternator are wearing out and the springs are not able to make solid contact with the rotor. When the rpms go up the more current is being produced so even thought the connection is weak the light dims.

Take my advice. Go to a reputable auto electric shop and have the brushes, regulator and rectifier replaced. It'll cost less than a reman alternator and you will be good to go for several more years. I went the cheap route and only had the brushes done and within a few months the regulator went.

Thanks alot man! appreciate it!

id say check the two wires that connect to your alternator to make sure there's a good connection, no corrosion etc before going anywhere or paying anything. Especially the smaller gauge wire with the female connector on it.

When the load light dims as the rpms go up it's a dead give away. 100% it's the brushes. When they're new the brushes are quite long. As they wear the springs push them against the rotating collar. When they start to get short the springs don't have enough force to push them really hard against the collar so the connection is weak. It's designed this way to give you an indication that they are starting to fail so you have time to fix it before the alternator stops charging altogether.

bringing this post back from the dead LOL, drove on that effed alt till about a month ago it wouldnt quit..

On mine, it would come on until I reached high enough RPM, drove like that for a week until I could get it fixed, but it fixed itself and was good for a few months, than did it again, but was on constatly, just charged at 12v, so it didn't completely die, drove for another week, fixed itself for a few more weeks, than eventually quit completely. Was funny, almost went an entire summer on that alternator like that. I was living away from home, but would go home on the "weekend" (which was during the week), but by the time my weekend came where I would let me mechanic look at it, it fixed itself.

hah yah thats how mine started.. the on off thing but then it was staying on then it ran for months with the light on . funny how things do that eh.. hahah

Mine's been on for over a year, and it still turns off on occasion. I haven't noticed a change at high/low RPMs though. I do notice if I clutch out too quickly in reverse everything dims, but I assume that is due to a near stall situation?

yah thats near stall, i do that all the time in reverse hahahaha xD. and try given er till like 7000rpm's. and watch the light. see if it goes dim. if it doesnt, thats weird.

I figured as much, but wasn't quite sure ;D I really don't drive other manuals that often, so I have nothing to compare to on a daily basis!

I'll take her up to 7k later today, if I remember after work. I hate being on call.... I get to sit and wait -.-

yah i hear yah. i was the same way, then i just asked my cousin. he owned the same car but 92 said its normal. just gotta let the clutch out slower.. and yah if the light doesnt dim or go off at all.. check your belt, might just be a loose or worn belt. if thats new.. then that alt. is about to go.

When mine came on first I was on the highway at the start of a 3 hour drive. It stranded me about 45 min from anywhere. It's in your best interest to fix it before it finally dies.

I'm just saying.