re: 164 alternator issue

[dsedon@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

hi jeff (and all),

well, yust today, a new wrinkle!  ;~)  the alternator belt self-destructed, completely shredding itself.  i was glad to make it home, as all the electrics were dieing.  the alternator itself turns freely.  i now wonder about the a/c compressor, but if this is bad, shouldn't the main serpentine belt also show signs of affliction?  it looks ok.  is it posible that the alternator belt could yust give out on its own like this, w/almost 200k miles on it?

tia,

doug s.

Jeff Matson <jsm8@domain.elided> wrote:

>Doug,
>    Are you sure it's actually the alternator?  Reason I ask is that
>I've had some occasional issues with low voltage on my 164 (now at
>180,000 mi; I may soon have to start dropping "occasional" from such
>phrases).  The first time I noticed the gauge sometimes reading 12
>instead of 14 when running, and dipping to 10 when starting.  At these
>times, things like the sunroof would be slow, and the rear defroster
>wouldn't work.  This was intermittent, and my mechanic cleaned some
>engine bay grounds and fixed it.
>    More recently (yesterday) I had a similar symptom, with the added
>puzzler that the power steering got heavy.  When I looked under the
>hood, the alternator was barely turning.  I had a broken radiator hose
>clamp, and the dripping coolant was causing the belts to slip (but was
>so slippery that they didn't squeal).
>    So it's worth looking around under there and making sure the
>mechanical bits are all in proper order before assuming it's an
>electrical issue.
>
>Jeff Matson
>Harvard, MA
>'91 164 L
>'74 GTV 2000
>
>

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