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1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

posted by  sherlocksbest on  Tue Mar 20 02:45 CST 2007
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last visit: Thu Apr 12 03:25 CST 2007
[RELATED]

Greetings! You may see this post on AWD forum as I didn't realize I was in the wrong forum. Sorry!
We are looking for any possible assistance. Several weeks ago we had some work done including new plugs, basic tune-up, replacement of the alternator bushings (also tightened the belt)and they tried to get the cruise control up and running but to no avail. When we picked it up all the idiot light came on when the steering wheel was turned and we were told that since this went away after it warmed up that it would cost too much to try to diagnose it. We didn't like that answer but it was obvious they didn't want to try to fix something that was not broken when we took the car in. They have not returned our calls since! A week or so later, the idiot lights started to come on again when the wheel was turned and then started to dim and the car started to die. The alternator was determined bad so it was replaced. A couple of weeks later the same thing happened and the alternator was replaced under warranty. Now a couple of weeks later the car is in the shop again with the same problem, idiot lights come on when the wheel is turned, they dim and the car starts to die. Does anyone out there have any thoughts on possible resolutions?? We are getting desperate as we need the car for transportation to and from work. Thank you so much for reading and any assistance you can offer.

Pam Shaffer
1989 240 Wagon








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    1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

    posted by  TONY H on  Tue Mar 20 07:39 CST 2007
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    last visit: Fri Oct 17 16:39 CST 2014
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    I'm missing the logic that a Crank Pulley would cause this.

    --
    '75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm








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      1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

      uid 27's pic
      posted by  Art Benstein on  Tue Mar 20 10:28 CST 2007
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      last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Hi Tony,

      It does seem like a new way to discover a crank pulley problem. I would expect the bigger complaint would be the embarrassing loud squealing noise, but have learned from experience belts can slip without the usual noises.

      The load of the steering pump stops the pulley, which stops the alternator output, resulting in the cluster warning lamps coming on just as if the motor stalled. In this photo you can see a new pulley on the left and the two halves of the separated pulley on the right.


      --
      Art Benstein near Baltimore

      My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.








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        1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

        posted by  sherlocksbest on  Tue Mar 20 11:18 CST 2007
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        last visit: Thu Apr 12 03:25 CST 2007
        [RELATED]

        Hi Art, Actually there was some belt noise under the hood that kept getting louder but that I was being told was OK and normal...It's still hard to get some folks to actually listen to a woman and not patronize but that's another story. I appreciate the explanation as wellso I can understnad it bettter! Thanks for taking the time and responding! Pam Shaffer








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          1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

          posted by  B.C. on  Tue Mar 20 17:23 CST 2007
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          last visit: Wed Mar 28 22:28 CST 2012
          [RELATED]

          Hey Pam -

          Art knows his stuff, and can send pics, too. An asset to us all, and he nailed your problem.

          Get some prices on a new crank pulley. It serves as the vibration dampener, too, which is the reason for the 3-part construction. Why have it like that? They can use a lighter weight flywheel that way.

          There are some parts makers now who make poor parts but box them in High-grade boxes, so be careful. Get a price from a dealer parts counter first, so you know what the price range can be. Talk to the parts counter, not Service.

          Next, go find another mechanic. Sounds like that guy was stringing you along to cover his ignorance at your expense. Your time counts as money out of your pocket, too. You may even have gotten by with a new voltage regulater/brush unit rather than a whole new alternator. Were the bushings that were replaced those in the alternator mounting bracket, or inside the alternator itself?

          Keep us posted.

          Good Luck,

          Bob

          :>)








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    1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

    posted by  Chris Mullet on  Tue Mar 20 04:14 CST 2007
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:08 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    I'm not too familiar with 240's but if the same belt drives both the alternator and the power steering pump, maybe it's not tight enough. So when you turn the steering wheel (which puts a load on the P/S pump) the belt stops turning and the alternator comes to a standstill???? I'm just shooting in the dark here.








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      1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

      posted by  AMSroadrunner on  Tue Mar 20 04:29 CST 2007
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      last visit: Mon Aug 25 16:43 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      I don't think that the two are related. the 240s have the alternator driven right off the crank (2 belts) then a third belt off the crank spins the AC compressor that feeds a fourth belt that goes up to the power steering pump. If they were closer as you suggested then I might buy it but not in this case, sorry.

      Andrew








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    1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

    posted by  AMSroadrunner on  Tue Mar 20 03:10 CST 2007
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    last visit: Mon Aug 25 16:43 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Is this the Pam Shaffer of Baltimore county, MD?

    I wouldn't be shocked if they were hooking up the alternator incorrectly. Your best bet is to see how much money you can get out of them for continually NOT fixing your car, head down to Napa and get their lifetime alternator (~$140). You might have some issues as they have two different alternators under the same listing number, be sure to get the one that has the fan. Then a simple alternator swap and you will be good as gold!

    If you are the Pam of Baltimore, MD please drop me a line I would be more than happy to do this operation with you this weekend!

    Good luck!

    Andrew Spencer








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      1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

      posted by  sherlocksbest on  Tue Mar 20 05:26 CST 2007
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      last visit: Thu Apr 12 03:25 CST 2007
      [RELATED]

      Hi Andrew, Thanks for your thoughts and for your offer to help. I am not from Baltimore but South Carolina! We just got word that it is the crank pulley and now need to find a used one. Thanks again! Pam








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        1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

        posted by  someone claiming to be HerbC on  Tue Mar 20 05:33 CST 2007 [RELATED]

        Used crank pulley...take care, as these suffer age-related defect in the rubber maybe not so obvious in a junker. Check www.fcpgroton.com for price comparison. Also make sure your guy knows the alternator must be separately grounded to work. The old blue ground wire may have become lost in the bushing repair job.








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          1989 240 Wagon Alternator / Electrical ? Problems

          posted by  sherlocksbest on  Mon Apr 2 11:33 CST 2007
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          last visit: Thu Apr 12 03:25 CST 2007
          [RELATED]

          Thanks to all who took the time to reply to my post. It has not taken this long for the car to get fixed, we have been moving so I am just now getting to my thanks! After replacing the crank pulley/harmonic balancer it was still missing a bit but we then replaced the plug wires and Voila! it purrs like a kitten again! You all are a great help and I just wanted to say Thanks!!!







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