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3G Alternator Seized Up???

  • Thread starter Thread starter 93tealstang
  • Start date Start date Mar 22, 2008

93tealstang

Founding Member
Jan 24, 2002
1,242
1
39
McSherrystown/Hanover Pennsylvania
Mar 22, 2008
#1
  • Mar 22, 2008
  • #1
So last summer, I finally got my car to hold a full charge while running underdrive pullies by putting on an ASP overdrive alternator pulley. No problems until a day ago when I was pulling out of my driveway when I heard loud screeching and felt alot of vibrating. I open the hood and see my belt has somewhat melted around the alternator pulley so upon releasing the belt tension, I try to spin the pulley and it's locked up. Has running an ASP pulley caused premature damage to the alternator or is this a common problem? I've has this OEM 3G for about 5 years but just recently switched out pulley's. The shaft is locked and when I do get it to turn, it makes a grinding inside the alternator. Any help would be appreciated.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Mar 22, 2008
#2
  • Mar 22, 2008
  • #2
The critical speed for most 3G's is about 15000 alternator RPM. Compare the overdrive pulley to your crank pulley to figure out if the alt could have been overspun. When they hit near their critical speed, they do crap out.

Good luck.
 

Black1987Stang

Active Member
Aug 22, 2004
1,422
0
37
Jersey Shore
Mar 23, 2008
#3
  • Mar 23, 2008
  • #3
HISSIN50 said:
The critical speed for most 3G's is about 15000 alternator RPM. Compare the overdrive pulley to your crank pulley to figure out if the alt could have been overspun. When they hit near their critical speed, they do crap out.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Not to steal the thread but what do you mean by critical speed?
 

93GTosu

Member
May 5, 2005
183
0
19
Mar 23, 2008
#4
  • Mar 23, 2008
  • #4
Not to steal the thread but what do you mean by critical speed?
Click to expand...

You can only spin things so fast before they break. 15,000 rpms is the number of revolutions per minute the alternator can spin before stuff starts to break. I think that's what he was saying in a nutshell.

The reading in your dash is RPMs for the "crank" pulley.

The alternator pulley is smaller than the crank pulley. Both are on the same belt. Therefore the alternator is going to spin faster than the crank pulley. How much faster would depend on the ratio of the pulleys.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Mar 23, 2008
#5
  • Mar 23, 2008
  • #5
GTOSU has it covered.


The actual number crunch is [(crank diameter/alt diameter) * engine RPM]
 
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