Alternatorless driving
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 817
Likes: 297
From: KY
Alternatorless driving
Kind of a silly question but I was on a 6 hr run Sat in the 99 SD. On the return trip and the Alt light comes on and Im hearing bad noises under the hood. Rear alt bearing goes away and so does the charging system. I have about 3.5 hours to go, yet and I keep on goin and make home before dark where the headlights surely would have killed the electrics. I assume when the alt light comes on thats it, no little bit of charging? 100% battery power at that point I assume?? Im am amazed I did make it that last 160 miles if Im on battery only. Gotta put a plug in for Duracell batteries Id say. 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 951
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From: SW Indiana melon fields.
I read in a car magazine a few years ago, that a guy bought a '59 Chevy in Texas and took off home to Florida. Somewhere in Louisiana the generator gave out. It seems that all auto parts stores were out of '59 Chevy generators, so he bought three batteries and headed home. He made it on the third battery.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,129
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Generally speaking if the alternator light is on then it isn't charging. However, that doesn't mean it isn't putting out anything - it could have been operating in a reduced state since you were still forcing it to turn. Just a bad bearing and it'll still make power just not enough to keep up the charge.
Not the safest way to get home, but glad it held in there, glad you're home safe, now go get it fixed.
Not the safest way to get home, but glad it held in there, glad you're home safe, now go get it fixed.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 817
Likes: 297
From: KY
I actually bought a new alt on the way home about 2 hours short of home. I was gonna do a parking lot swap but for me at least the belt tensioner is a Buzzard to get at and loosen the belt. I contemplated trying without slackin the belt but sure and glad I didnt after swapping the new one in. I dont think you'd ever get the bolts started. Funny think as I was towing a jeep behind me as well, it had been sitting for 6 mo and had a basically dead battery 
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JumpinJoe
Excursion - King of SUVs
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Jan 26, 2010 12:27 PM
