bad alternator?

[sweck]

I was kickin with some friends, left my lights on while car was running. Seemed fine... killed car, killed the lights... then when we went to go, the car started, but all the gauges were dim, and it was misfiring around 3-4k pretty bad. I immediately turned off the headlights to see if it was electrical and the car ran a little better until we got to the edge of the parking lot... then it died... I let it sit for about 2 minutes, fired it back up, and headed home ( i live about 1 minute from where it happened. I just dont understand what happened... i'll tear it apart tomorrow, but i was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

[DlandryTSI]

Sounds like the alternator. The easiest way to check is to start the car and meter the battery while its running. It should be around 13 volts.

--Dave

[sweck]

well it was the alternator, (hopefully the only prob) as when it was tested it was only putting out 10.5v... meaning that it wasnt keeping up with the power being put out from the battery... hopefully that solves the problem.

[Super Talon]

well your diagnosis is correct the alternator is the problem, but i feel the need to post a little on alternator therory (proven by millions)

the batterys sole purpose in the car is start the car, past that it does nothing except when the electrical draw is more then the alternator can provide then the battery steps in and provides the additional amperage needed. The alternators job is to provide current for the vehicle so that the battery does not get drained and when the electrical draw is less then what the alternator is outputing then the battery is charged. The alternator how ever is only producing electricity when the total voltage in the cars circuit is below 13.6 volts. If the battery is over charged then the alternator acutally stops producing electricy and the circuits draw from the battery lowering it below 13.6 volts... Also the batterys final purpose is to stabilize the electrical current... the alternator can produce 9v at one point and 16v a second later, so all electricity is ran through the battery befor any other circuit (if possible) so that you dont fry your l33t radio... So the battery only give power when the alternator cant do its job...

[v413nc3]

Team TLS offers special alternators that are direct replacements for your 1G and 2G's that produce 75A @ less than 1500RPM and 135A above 1500RPM. Please feel free to IM me if you need one.