I have an 2003 Z and my alternator finally decided to call it quits.. I dont have any big stereo equipment other than what's stock. Got the new alternator for $175 and i did the labor on installing it. SO just wondering if anyone else had to replace theirs yet, BTW car only has 40k on it...

 

are you sure it was the alternator and not the battery? did you run a test on it before replacment?
yeah, 40k miles is kinda short.

 

I've been thinking about replacing mine with a high output alternator. What led you to believe it was defective. Details please.

 

i've noticed mine starting to fade also. '03 here with 53k

My voltage meter doesn't sit as high as you used to, and my lights dim when my stereo hits, and it never used to do that also. Even after upgrading to the dry cell battery with higher cranking amps it still does it.

The only signs i can tell when an altenator is going out, other than having the cranking amps tested, is they usually start ticking, kinda like an ate up belt flopping around the pulley. "tick tick tick tick"

 

I am having a problem with my volt gage moving around abit more then it should as well. It starts off nice and high but drops after awhile to under 14 rarely gets to the half way between 14 and 12 though always higher.


From what you guys are saying my alternator may be on the way out too.




DAMN!!!!

 

Yep before i took out the alternator out i charged the battery overnight and checked it again the next morning.. It was reading 12.9V.. I started up the car and turned on the headlights and checked the voltage again. 12.5, 12.2, 12.0, 11.9 and so on till it went down to 11.2, than i turned the car off.. Took the alternator out brought it over to NAPA had them checked it and sure enough it was the alternator.. Car runs great now, voltage now reads 14.5V which is where it should be around.

 

Yup, I noticed mine is starting to get the flakes too. Anyone know of a good high out put alternator that would kill the wallet?