adeelmysore

I have a 05 Acura TSX with about 73000 miles on it. Drove the car all morning and then in the evening noticed a whining noise and then the console started blinking. Got home parked and then the car wouldn't start as the battery was drained.

I replaced the battery thinking it was bad but that wasn't the case. The noise is still there and I can smell some plastic burning smell when I turn on the car. I used a voltmeter to test the voltage and it read 12.3 (fully charged battery) when the car is off. 13.6 car on but no accessories. Turned on the accessories and the voltage dropped to 11.2. Turned off the accessories and voltage was at 12.6.

So I think its a bad alternator but need some advice from the forum here. Also read that it could be worn out brushes but I don't know how to check them. Does someone have DIY for alternator removal as I could not find one. Also if someone has had similar issues please do share or anything else that needs to be tested. I will most probably try to fix this issue myself.

Thanks

Simba91102

With those voltage readings, it does sound like the alternator is bad. I don't know about a DIY thread here (actually I would be surprised if there isn't one), but the job doesn't look too bad from looking under the hood. If you do it, you may want to replace the drive belt too since you'll have it off anyway.

adeelmysore

Yeah thats the plan. Will take off the alternator and see if it can be fixed otherwise will put in a new one. Thanks

nbtx

Most parts stores can test alternators and starters, so take it in and get it checked out first.

adeelmysore

ok so went to autozone and they said the same thing alternator is bad although all they did was hookup this device that read the voltage.

Bought the belt and the alternator off ebay. Oem Bando for $15 and the alternator was a salvage for $50 (41,000 miles). Will install when arrives. Probably next week.

silverboard

Hello all,

I have an 06 with 64k miles on it. I just spoke with the dealer who told me my alternator has gone out. Yesterday, my engine started making a whining noise and then the electrical system started failing badly while I was driving -- dash board lights went out, AC power dropped in half. When I got out of the car I, there a burning smell and it wouldn't start back up initially.

Two questions:

1) My AC compressor went out and was replaced last month. Do you think there is a link between that and the alternator going out? They claim that there's a 99.9% chance it's unrelated. Said that it's likely do to the excessive heat here in Texas. They also told me the mechanic has 25 years experience... which struck me as an odd thing to tell me.

2) Dealer has quoted me roughly $840 for a new alternator + labor, or $590 for a refurb + labor. Do you think this is a repair I could take elsewhere for cheap? Or important to have Acura do it? I'm not a DIY guy.

Thanks for the input!

adeelmysore

I dont know about 1)

but for me the total for 2) was $62. I bought a salvaged alternator (apprx 40,000 miles) off ebay for $50+12 shipping and installed it myself. Local dealer quoted $200 to install.

Second option is to buy the reman or new from http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...t&ListAll=Part and save a lot of money.

If you cant install it yourself get someone off craigslist to do it cheap. It is quite simple PM me if you need the instructions.

Maroma11

Adeelmysore - I just had the alternator in my 01 CLS refurbished for $40 and installed it myself. The car is running great, but every time I accelerate after being stopped, there's a burning belt smell. This smell is only present with the a/c on. Any idea what it could be? My mechanic friend said all belts look good and I've driven it two weeks, but the smell won't go away.

adeelmysore

You may have spilled something on the belt that's burning?