1993 Cobra alternator problems
New member, second post. My dads rig, 1993 Phoenix by Cobra. P30 chassis, 454 engine. He's gone through 3 alternators in about 10K miles, that last 2 went out during a 7,500 mile, coast-coast trip...
Forum Discussion
Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions.
Will be sure to do a good check on all connections and grounds.
He has tried a heavier duty alternator (130 amp), that didn't last long. This alternator was replaced about a month ago, on the road by road side assistance and a stock 105 amp unit was installed. That unit just failed a couple of days ago and maybe 4K miles while traveling back from Minnesota to Nevada. On this coast to coast trip he always utilized hookups and the batteries were always fully charged before heading out.
This unit does not have electric cooling fans and utilizes an old school clutch fan. I did investigate the possibility of an electro-viscous clutch fan but GM did not use them in 1993, so no wires at the fan.
The possibility of a dual output alternator peaked my interest. I'll have to investigate what may have originally been installed in 1993.
I'll have dad look for the make and model of the battery control center, will let you know what we find out.
This has been an ongoing problem (a few years) but I think the problem seems worse over the last couple of months due to the recent 7,500 mile trip.
Thanks again for all of the inputs. I'll be sure to reply back with what we find out. I'm currently in Virginia and he's out in Nevada so we have some long distance troubleshooting to accomplish.
Will be sure to do a good check on all connections and grounds.
He has tried a heavier duty alternator (130 amp), that didn't last long. This alternator was replaced about a month ago, on the road by road side assistance and a stock 105 amp unit was installed. That unit just failed a couple of days ago and maybe 4K miles while traveling back from Minnesota to Nevada. On this coast to coast trip he always utilized hookups and the batteries were always fully charged before heading out.
This unit does not have electric cooling fans and utilizes an old school clutch fan. I did investigate the possibility of an electro-viscous clutch fan but GM did not use them in 1993, so no wires at the fan.
The possibility of a dual output alternator peaked my interest. I'll have to investigate what may have originally been installed in 1993.
I'll have dad look for the make and model of the battery control center, will let you know what we find out.
This has been an ongoing problem (a few years) but I think the problem seems worse over the last couple of months due to the recent 7,500 mile trip.
Thanks again for all of the inputs. I'll be sure to reply back with what we find out. I'm currently in Virginia and he's out in Nevada so we have some long distance troubleshooting to accomplish.
