Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR...?

Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR...?

OK... My cousin has an older Ice Cream Truck that has had all kinds of
problems lately. He just had the engined serviced. Last week his fan
belt broke.

Now... here is what is happening. He will be driving slowly through
the neighborhoods for a few hours and after while... whenever he hits
the brake his music box will seemingly go real low and at a slower
rythem.

Next thing you know, the engine will run very poorly and it will
stall.... He needs a jumpstart to get going again. In the
morning... he needed a jumpstart once again.

He took it to his mechanic who said that the problem was caused by a
low idle... which was speeded up somewhat.

The first half of today... everything went smoothly... but about
6:00... it died again in exactly the same manner.

Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR? Are alternator and charging
issues hard to diagnose? Could a very weak battery ever cause any of
the above symptoms?

It is very frustrating. Any educated guesses?

Thanks in advance.

annie

Re: Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR...?

>My cousin has an older Ice Cream Truck<

The: Year/Make/Model would really,help me help you.(sounds like Jerry
McQuire)

>Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR? Could a very weak battery ever cause any of the above symptoms?<

A) Bad battery.
B) Dirty/loose connections.
C) Alternator.
D) Voltage regulator.
E) All of the above.

>Are alternator and charging issues hard to diagnose?<
No.

ps. Tell him to find a different mechanic!

Re: Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR...?

On Wed, 7 May 2008 18:40:57 -0700 (PDT), nj_annie@golfilla.info wrote:

>Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR?
Could BE

>Are alternator and charging
>issues hard to diagnose?
No

> Could a very weak battery ever cause any of
>the above symptoms?

Yes. Even if the battery was good he has likely done permanent damage
to it by continuing to run it down.
>
>It is very frustrating. Any educated guesses?

Find a real mechanic.

Re: Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR...?

1969 CHEVY VAN. Sorry... but I don't know much more than that.

Thanks

annie

Re: Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR...?

On May 7, 9:24 pm, Steve B. <n...@none . com > wrote:
> On Wed, 7 May 2008 18:40:57 -0700 (PDT), nj an...@golfilla.info wrote:
> >Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR?
>
> Could BE
>
> >Are alternator and charging
> >issues hard to diagnose?
>
> No
>
> > Could a very weak battery ever cause any of
> >the above symptoms?
>
> Yes. Even if the battery was good he has likely done permanent damage
> to it by continuing to run it down.
>
>
>
> >It is very frustrating. Any educated guesses?
>
> Find a real mechanic.

Current cars with engine computers are more sensitive to bus voltage
than older cars with non-electric carburetors and simple Kettering
ignitions. Low voltage can screw up both computers and engine
sensors. Try hand push starting a modern small car- very hard job if
battery is low!

Re: Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR...?

They really need to install a voltmeter gauge.

Re: Does this sound like an ALTERNATOR...?

Test with a volt meter across the battery.
You should have about 13.2 volts with the key off. If you don't, try
charging the battery over night with the battery cables disconnected.
If it still isn't up to 13.2 volts then the battery is shot.
Some batteries don't stand up under load. You could also do a load
test.
You should have about 15 volts across the battery with the engine
running. If it isn't somewhere close to that voltage then likely
either the alternator or the voltage regulator is bad.
A lot of auto parts stores will do battery and alternator tests for
free. You just have to take it in and they test it. Call around.
I think an ice cream truck would put a lot of stress on the battery
and alternator. If you need to replace the alternator then ask for the
biggest one you can get, maybe a 105 amp. If the battery is shot then
get the most powerful that will fit in your battery box.