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I get the most interesting problems.
My car ran out of voltage while my Dad was driving it.
I did what every person should do, and checked the voltage coming from the alternator. It was not charging, so, obviously, it was bad. I got a new one, and put it in. The new one didn't work, either. It happens. So I took it back, and had it bench tested. It was working fine. I had them do it again. It was fine. So, I put it back on the car, and it did not work Hmmm. I tested the "S" wire going into the harness, which tells the alternator to start working. It was working.
NOW what
This is the point where every good mechanic starts desperately poking at random things in the area. I shook the wire harness. I got underneath the car, and took the belt off again. I spun the alternator pulley. With my mind wandering, I laid underneath the car. I poked the other belt. I was like an infant playing around with a mobile in a crib, pulling, and pushing things. I spun the crank pulley with 2 fingers... Wait a minute. I don't think that's right. I spun it again. It ran smooth, and quiet. The inside part stayed stationary. That definitely isn't right. I felt like one of Romney's "Smart people" when I exclaimed to myself "That's not supposed to happen!" I was sure of it; If the crank pulley spins freely, it can't turn the alternator. So there you have it. The outer part of the crank pulley had separated from the rest. I have never heard of that happening before, and I have worked on many, many cars of all types.
So, on Friday, I'm finally going to put on my underdrive pulley with Mooneggs' help.

And that's the way it is Sept 12 2012. From our news desk we wish you all a good night.

Nice.. definitely not something you see every day...

fowljesse wrote:I get the most interesting problems.
My car ran out of voltage while my Dad was driving it.
I did what every person should do, and checked the voltage coming from the alternator. It was not charging, so, obviously, it was bad. I got a new one, and put it in. The new one didn't work, either. It happens. So I took it back, and had it bench tested. It was working fine. I had them do it again. It was fine. So, I put it back on the car, and it did not work Hmmm. I tested the "S" wire going into the harness, which tells the alternator to start working. It was working.
NOW what
This is the point where every good mechanic starts desperately poking at random things in the area. I shook the wire harness. I got underneath the car, and took the belt off again. I spun the alternator pulley. With my mind wandering, I laid underneath the car. I poked the other belt. I was like an infant playing around with a mobile in a crib, pulling, and pushing things. I spun the crank pulley with 2 fingers... Wait a minute. I don't think that's right. I spun it again. It ran smooth, and quiet. The inside part stayed stationary. That definitely isn't right. I felt like one of Romney's "Smart people" when I exclaimed to myself "That's not supposed to happen!" I was sure of it; If the crank pulley spins freely, it can't turn the alternator. So there you have it. The outer part of the crank pulley had separated from the rest. I have never heard of that happening before, and I have worked on many, many cars of all types.
So, on Friday, I'm finally going to put on my underdrive pulley with Mooneggs' help.

Good deal. I have seen a bunch Honda Prelude/Accord crank pulleys separate and either the outer part will fall off, or wobble like crazy and cause a bunch of belt squeal/noise and usually some vibration at idle. Same thing with the mid 90's to early 00's dodge/Chrysler 4 and 6 cylinders. Not so much the V8's (4.7, 5.2, 5.9)

I have heard of lots of dampers failing and separating like that but I have never ever had it happen to me.

That would be a stumper. Nice catch.

happened to me- I was on the way home from work and the outer shot off out into the road! Made it home no worries though and ended up putting on an underdrive pulley as I had no backup then.

Glad to see you got it before it seperated in the engine bay! Makes me love my one piece unit

I had never seen it, and maybe heard of it once a long time ago. It's strange, and good, in a way, that it spins nice, and didn't even vibrate or anything. I'm looking forward to the extra horsepower! What is it, like 3% increase?
That reminds me of an invention; It would be cool if I could make a clutching crank pulley that releases with a certain amount of inertia. It would only not engage for say, 13 seconds at a time.

From now on you shall be known as Eye not fowljesse. This is usually a question reserved for women but Jess, do you find your best work is done on your back.

Well.. I do alright on top, too.

This happened to me previously too, but mine wasn't spinning quite freely... I was constantly running low voltage on my battery, and it would show proper output at idle.. The moment I took the car up to speed, it would slip and the battery light would come on.

Later on, the pulley went and I replaced it... Problem solved IMMEDIATELY.

You should've looked through my old posts ;P