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
jyrostng wrote:
The biggest load I think you would see is with the dash AC on,(the fan) and the electric condenser fans on in front of the radiator. Both on with the ac clutch might be over 50 amps. The fuel pump inside the gas tank, ignition, lighting, radio, wipers, dash lights. That puts a lot of load on that small alternator pulley with maintain the batteries too. The way to actually see if the belt is slipping on the alternator, see if that pulley will boil spit. It gets really hot when it slips. Check it right after you shut the motor off. if it was hot, you may have to change that serpentine belt, likely it's cracked and dried out. My 89 had the curved bracket with a slot the alternator bolt used to adjust the belt, I used a 2' long 3/8 extension to pry the belt tight. Since yours doesn't have smog pump, don't really worry about the belt being too tight. Just tight enough to prevent any slipping. if it had a smog pump in line driven by that belt, you would have to be more careful about the tension.
Interesting. Dad says the electric condenser fans run most of the time, even with the AC off. Will be sure to put a new belt on and make sure its good and tight. He has a newer fan clutch and fan on it and when it kicks in she really howls. It may be just enough added resistance to make the belt slip.
