Alternator & Battery?

I'm new at this, so sorry if this question is stupid, but I just found out the other day that my alternator is dying. I had my battery & alternator checked the other day at Autozone because lately my headlights and interior lights would blink everytime I tap or press my brakes. I was thinking it was a short, but I had my alt & batt. checked just to see. The guy told me the alt. is putting out 4 amps less than what it should.

Now here's my question. I'm purchasing a better alternator, that puts out twice the amps than a regular one (the guy at autozone told me it'd be good enough with the stuff I got hooked up in the car). If I get the bigger alternator, would that effect my battery, or would it be fine? The guy who did my test said nothing about the battery, so I assumed it was good. If anyone could help me out before I purchase it, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advanced.

'putting out 4 amps less than it should be'...

Personally, based strictly on that statement alone, this sounds like a load of BS to me. But that's just me. The symptoms described don't sound like an alternator putting out 4 amps less than ..max rated output?

Is he saying that a 100 amp alternator is bad if it's only putting out 96 amps?

Sounds like there's more to the story than what's mentioned; I'd be careful about making absolutely sure the alternator is bad.. if you'd like, post more information (year, make model - accessories) and we can try to help you more.

Jim

Well I don't know a lot about cars and car parts, but here lately I noticed everytime I press my brake the exterior and interior lights would blink, even the lights on my headunit. At first I thought I had a short some where, but I was also thinking maybe the battery or alt is dying. I noticed my headlights aren't as bright as they were a few months ago, and a few other things that made me believe it was something dying. I took it to Autozone and the old guy acted like he didn't want to do it, but that's what he's there for. When he tested it, he just told me that "the alternator is putting out 4 amps less than it should" and I then asked him how long does he think it'd last til it died, and he said it's basically dying now, and he doesn't think it'd last til this winter, he said "I doubt you'd get it started by this winter" and I just said "ok" and thanked him. He could be right, there's a few signs that makes it look like the alt. is dying, but I'm still thinking the whole blinking thing is a short some where. Does it sound like a short, or would a dying atl. make lights "blink" cause of low power? Or straining power?

But the car is a '97 Saturn SC1, and I never changed the alternator and battery since I had it, andI got it beginning of 2004, and it's hard to tell if the people who had before me changed anything.

Like I said, I don't know anything about this situation, any help and advice would be glady appreciated.

Well I went ahead and bought the alternator anyways, it wouldn't hurt to get a better one. Once I get that installed and I still see my headlights not as bright, all the lights blinking when i tap my brake, my bass not as "loud/punchy" as before, and my idling back to normal then I'll get it checked some where else. I'm pretty sure my alt. is going bad anyways from all the signs, but the blinking lights still makes me believe it's a short, but I hope I'm wrong because I'd hate to take it a place and get it checked/fixed. I spent around $500 at the Saturn dealership last year to install a new tail light and a couple censors. But if it comes down to my only option I'll take it back there and let them check my grounds and stuff to see why my lights blink. I had a bad ground on my tail light last time, so maybe I have a bad ground some where else. And for what I meant by "idling back to normal" I noticed lately at stop lights my rpm stick is below 1, almost touching 0 and it feels and sounds like the car is gonna shut off. I just noticed all the signs these past few months, always a new sign every week. So who knows. Heh.

Thanks for all the help.

" I noticed lately at stop lights my rpm stick is below 1, almost touching 0 and it feels and sounds like the car is gonna shut off. "

Do you have a monster stereo system in the vehicle, or a sub system of any kind? If so is this phenomenon that you mention (see your quote above) happening with say the volume cranked up on the stereo?

forbidden wrote:

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" I noticed lately at stop lights my rpm stick is below 1, almost touching 0 and it feels and sounds like the car is gonna shut off. "

Do you have a monster stereo system in the vehicle, or a sub system of any kind? If so is this phenomenon that you mention (see your quote above) happening with say the volume cranked up on the stereo?

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I wouldn't call it a monster system, the only amp I have is a JBL GTO1201.1 and I have the volume around 18/40 on the hu because the hu is a cheap pioneer that doesn't give good sound. I wouldn't call it "blasting" but it's up high enough so I could hear the words.

For the next test, go for a drive, turn off the stereo, let me clarify that for you. TURN OFF THE STEREO. See if the lights etc. still dim.

They do, I can have the car off and the head lights on, and everything still blinks.

That's what makes me think it's a short, but the other signs makes me think my alt. is dying anyways.

Sorry for double posting.

I just installed the alternator today and it seemed to solve everything so far. So I guess that was my problem. Just wanted to let you all know how it went, and thanks for all the advice.