So... looks like my alternator gave up...

[Silverbullet]

Ok,

It was replaced about 3 years ago at DMC CA... what is the BEST replacement to get? It was their Upgraded one, rewired. higher amps... Anybody have info on where and which replacement would be best?

Not happy, it has about 3000 miles on it, still LOOKS NEW......

Thanks,
Craig

[Gregadeth]

When you turn your key on, does the battery light on the dash come on? If it doesn't, you may just need to replace the bulb for the alternator to work.

[sdg3205]

The 140amp Motorola?

[AugustneverEnds]

This isn't answering your question so apologies but did you get the alternator bench tested? Might just be the regulator which is a lot cheaper than replacing the entire unit.

If I needed a new alternator (my car is mostly stock i.e. no killer stereo amps, subwoofer or other power hungry accessories) I think I would get the lowest cost unit I could find since our cars seem to wear out alternators at higher rates than other cars. I remember someone mentioning that the alternator gets decreased airflow being in the rear of the car and it seems to wear them out more quickly than front mounted ones. Just my thoughts

[DMC-81]

I remember someone mentioning that the alternator gets decreased airflow being in the rear of the car and it seems to wear them out more quickly than front mounted ones. Just my thoughts

Agreed, and I'm sure the placement near the right exhaust manifold doesn't help either. I put heat shielding on the wires due to the close proximity.

[Drive Stainless]

Easy decision. Get one from Autozone with a lifetime warranty. Part number DL1315-5-3. You can use my s/s upper mounting bracket to make the installation easier. Just swap the pulley and splice in the pigtail (if you had a SpecialT alternator, you already have it).

[Grover]

Go online and find a place that will sell a CS-130 Alternator with the Iceberg upgrade kit. I had alternators that would die all the time in my car. I got tired of it and spent the extra money and got one with the Iceberg Kit and it has been working fine for many thousands of miles (since 2010, I think at the DCS carshow that year I was in the 20k category and I upgraded right after the show, the car now has just over 60k). The main reason I went with this is the back housing is changed to one that acts as a giant heat sink and the internals are upgraded to higher specs to withstand the high temperatures.

https://alternatorparts.com/7130-7140.html

In a bind you can always swap in a standard CS-130 from Autozone/Advance Auto Parts as well.

[content22207_2]

You've got a variety of Autozone (or Advance/Pep Boys/O'Reilly) options. I'm running a Volvo unit that basically mirrors the original Motorola. Disadvantage is it needs to be transferred in from a warehouse. I believe the Saturn unit is a stock item.

I've found Autozone's computer system preferable to Advance. Autozone has honored warranties for me going all the way back to the 1990's.

Being turned around backwards, the fan blades on our alternators are all but useless. Heat is their killer. Buy one with a lifetime warranty and you'll be fine.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[bfloyd]

My alternator went out last fall and I replaced it with a 100 amp 1984 Cadillac Eldorado alternator from O'Reilly Auto Parts with a lifetime warranty. On my car, the previous owner had swapped out the factory original long ago, to something similar to what I bought, so the connectors and such were already there. I purchased a stainless steel tensioning bracket off of ebay that works perfectly. Haven't had any issues at all with either the alternator or the bracket since I installed them.

[Silverbullet]

When you turn your key on, does the battery light on the dash come on? If it doesn't, you may just need to replace the bulb for the alternator to work.

Hummmmm, All I get is the Door open, Oil, and Brake... I never really paid attention to the light before, if it was on before... So What bulb is it, and how do you get to it to replace it?

Craig

[Gregadeth]

Hummmmm, All I get is the Door open, Oil, and Brake... I never really paid attention to the light before, if it was on before... So What bulb is it, and how do you get to it to replace it?

CraigOn these cars, for some reason the alternator circuit is wired through the battery bulb in the dashboard. When the bulb goes bad, power doesn't route to the alternator. That's why when people replace the instrument panel bulbs with LEDs they leave in the battery bulb (or better yet, replace it with the same type of bulb but a new one). If you upgrade that one to LED or use the wrong kind of bulb, you don't have an alternator. I'm not sure what type of bulb it is (someone on here has to know) but you have to remove the binnacle to get to it.

[DMCMW Dave]

#194. You can hardwire a bulb into the alternator circuit (brown-yellow wire) in the engine compartment as a test. But yes, the bulb needs to be there. Common on Alternators from their invention until probably the mid-2000s or so (varies by manufacturer, there may still be some like that but most modern cars now have the alternator under engine ECU control).

[aotmfilms]

On these cars, for some reason the alternator circuit is wired through the battery bulb in the dashboard. When the bulb goes bad, power doesn't route to the alternator. That's why when people replace the instrument panel bulbs with LEDs they leave in the battery bulb (or better yet, replace it with the same type of bulb but a new one). If you upgrade that one to LED or use the wrong kind of bulb, you don't have an alternator. I'm not sure what type of bulb it is (someone on here has to know) but you have to remove the binnacle to get to it.

That is just crazy, who woulda thunk it. I would have thought my alternator was bad as well if it had happened to me. :8ball:

--Doug

[Silverbullet]

Ok,,,,

194 bulb.... "HOW DO I GET TO IT".... any help here is good, I am sure it will save me time if I get pointers...

Craig

[DMCMW Dave]

Ok,,,,

194 bulb.... "HOW DO I GET TO IT".... any help here is good, I am sure it will save me time if I get pointers...

Craig

Remove the instrument binnacle from the dash. Bulb sockets in from behind. I'm sure it's written up here a few dozen times with photos - search on Binnacle.

Remove 6 nuts from under the dash
Lift up slightly
Reach under and squeeze/disconnect two electrical plugs
Press release tab on speedo cable and unplug.
Lift off dash and clean/change all the bulbs and sockets "while you are in there"

[content22207_2]

Take the seat out first. It's only held in by four nuts. Makes access to the binnacle nuts much easier when you can lay down under the dash.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Silverbullet]

Take the seat out first. It's only held in by four nuts. Makes access to the binnacle nuts much easier when you can lay down under the dash.

Bill Robertson
#5939

Nice Tip.... Seems they COULD have made it a little easier....like a Chevy...just reach behind....But....just like a lot of things... Fuel filter Could have been mounted in engine compartment...

Craig

[DMCVegas]

Nice Tip.... Seems they COULD have made it a little easier....like a Chevy...just reach behind....But....just like a lot of things... Fuel filter Could have been mounted in engine compartment...

Craig

It's a dashboard light, so this is pretty normal. But dude, trust me when I say that compared to LOTS of other cars, we got the long end of the stick for ease of repair.

https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_bat1_1.jpg

[Ryan King]

Ok,

It was replaced about 3 years ago at DMC CA... what is the BEST replacement to get? It was their Upgraded one, rewired. higher amps... Anybody have info on where and which replacement would be best?

Not happy, it has about 3000 miles on it, still LOOKS NEW......

Thanks,
Craig

Same thing happened to me. Twice.

I bailed on those. Went with the Autozone Saturn unit and haven't looked back. Its been great.
ALTHOUGH, with that in mind, I did recently buy a Brand New Unit, made in the USA, from a guy on eBay. He has been in the business for a long time and build them from scratch. 140amp I believe it was. Haven't had a single issue *knock on wood*


http://www.ebay.com/itm/140-amp-1-wire-CS130-alternator-DSM-Saturn-Alternator-Swap-Eclipse-Talon-Laser-/231880322656?hash=item35fd24ee60:g:9N4AAOSwyjBW8Gy I

Although mine isn't blue. I have talked to the guy on the phone too. He has great customer service.

[mluder]

Same thing happened to me. Twice.

I bailed on those. Went with the Autozone Saturn unit and haven't looked back. Its been great.
ALTHOUGH, with that in mind, I did recently buy a Brand New Unit, made in the USA, from a guy on eBay. He has been in the business for a long time and build them from scratch. 140amp I believe it was. Haven't had a single issue *knock on wood*


http://www.ebay.com/itm/140-amp-1-wire-CS130-alternator-DSM-Saturn-Alternator-Swap-Eclipse-Talon-Laser-/231880322656?hash=item35fd24ee60:g:9N4AAOSwyjBW8Gy I

Although mine isn't blue. I have talked to the guy on the phone too. He has great customer service.

Is the mounting on this eBay one the same as the original DeLorean mount?
I assume you specify the pulley or did you have to swap it yourself?

Cheers
Steven

[Ryan King]

Is the mounting on this eBay one the same as the original DeLorean mount?
I assume you specify the pulley or did you have to swap it yourself?

Cheers
Steven

It will work with the Original Alternator Bracket, but you will need a spacer to keep the alternator from moving back & fourth.

It does come with a serpentine belt pulley, but he was willing to send me a V belt pulley once I contacted him through eBay. It ended up being too big, so I ended up buying this -

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mch-131/overview/

[Silverbullet]

So, I replaced the Dash light.... now it charges GREAT,,,, Thanks,,, I saved a lot....

Craig