Questions

Hello and thank your for a great forum. I have a 99 intriuge and have found this forum to be a great assest! I have a couple of questions for you gurus.
I am experiencing the Headlight problems as many on the web site. I have read what the problem is but does this mean that my alternator is failing or is it just a normal behavior. (ie is it going to fail me along the road somewhere).
I have had no problems with car until the other night. While driving home from church I tried to roll down my back passenger window and it would not come down. The headlights dimmed quite a bit and then all gauges went crazy all warning lights came on and both speed and tachometer went all the way over and back multiple times (car never died).
Got home and opened doors and had no interior lights. Tried to start car and nothing happened, like it had no power. Pushed flashers and they didn't work either just a sound from behind dash. I was just trying everything hand flashed my high beams and then everything started working. Car started fine and ran ok. Every thing seemed normal until today. Drove car to work, did some errands started everytime. At lunch same thing just dead played with the high beams and got the car to start. I have had no SES warnings or check engines.
Sorry for the long post. Any ideas
KRM

Hello and thank your for a great forum. I have a 99 intriuge and have found this forum to be a great assest! I have a couple of questions for you gurus.
I am experiencing the Headlight problems as many on the web site. I have read what the problem is but does this mean that my alternator is failing or is it just a normal behavior. (ie is it going to fail me along the road somewhere).
I have had no problems with car until the other night. While driving home from church I tried to roll down my back passenger window and it would not come down. The headlights dimmed quite a bit and then all gauges went crazy all warning lights came on and both speed and tachometer went all the way over and back multiple times (car never died).
Got home and opened doors and had no interior lights. Tried to start car and nothing happened, like it had no power. Pushed flashers and they didn't work either just a sound from behind dash. I was just trying everything hand flashed my high beams and then everything started working. Car started fine and ran ok. Every thing seemed normal until today. Drove car to work, did some errands started everytime. At lunch same thing just dead played with the high beams and got the car to start. I have had no SES warnings or check engines.
Sorry for the long post. Any ideas
KRM
I was told by two Oldsmobile mechanics that the alternator, or more specifically, the built-in voltage regulator, is faulty. The problem is that no one seems to have a problem until the warranty is long gone. I have a 1999 GL and had lots of minor electrical gremlins, such as the ones you describe, and at 105k miles, replaced it with a Bosch alternator. All of the problems I was having are gone. No flickering, the climate control works perfectly, the windows roll up without dimming the lights, etc. Fortunately, the computer that operates the car does a really good job of keeping the car alive. The pulley on my old alternator was warped, the mounting hole was oblong, and the brushes were nearly gone, but my car ran fine, except for the noise at low RPM. You should replace the alternator before it dies on you. I wouldn't recommend the Delco/Dephi units...I was told to stay away from them by both Olds mechanics.

Thanks for the help. Looking to get the alternator replaced now. I have checked into the prices on the bosch alternator and just wanted to check and see if these are in the right ballpark. Napa wanted $489 and Advance Auto $511. I thought I read in previous post that it cost $150 just trying to make sure that I am not getting taken to the cleaners.
I do appreciate your help
KRM

Thanks for the help. Looking to get the alternator replaced now. I have checked into the prices on the bosch alternator and just wanted to check and see if these are in the right ballpark. Napa wanted $489 and Advance Auto $511. I thought I read in previous post that it cost $150 just trying to make sure that I am not getting taken to the cleaners.
I do appreciate your help
KRM

Do a search in this forum and find the post I made about this. If you want to replace it yourself, and its not that hard, call my dad (Randy) he can take care of you. Tell him I told you to call. Below is his website. He can tell you all about it.

Matt

http://www.geocities.com/remanufactured_parts_company/

I have no comment about the dimming lights problem being caused or not being caused by the alternator/voltage regulator, but the problem you describe of no start then works perfectly seems to point to a problem with a corroded battery cable or broken battery post. Just my 0.02.

thanks everyone. I think illinoiswronski hit it on the head the negative battery post is in pretty bad shape. I tried to clean but it pretty cold here so I am just going to buy a new one. It did the same thing the other night wouldn't start. Unhooked the negative terminal and while i was replacing all interior lights came on and car started fine. I'll keep an idea out for the alternator in the mean time.
Thanks everyone
KRM

If you live in IL, MI, or WI, you can check Murray's Discount Auto parts, or go to www.rockauto.com for similar pricing. I paid $148 ($40 core) and installed it myself in about 20 minutes. www.rockauto.com has similar pricing, just a higher core charge. I believe that you can also find it at PepBoys for about $50 more, still way under your quotes.

If you live in IL, MI, or WI, you can check Murray's Discount Auto parts, or go to www.rockauto.com for similar pricing. I paid $148 ($40 core) and installed it myself in about 20 minutes. www.rockauto.com has similar pricing, just a higher core charge. I believe that you can also find it at PepBoys for about $50 more, still way under your quotes.


Rockauto.com's price is $458.79 -$111.00 Core = $347.79 for
Bosch #AL8736X (125A Remanufactored Alternator for 3.5L engine), your price looks closer to the 105A Alternator for 3.8L engines. If you know anyone who has the alternator for $150 on the internet, please post it.