Help!: Alternator problem - 2006 S281 S/C

[livenlearn]

Last weekend I drove 6 hours and bought a 2006 S281 Supercharged.
On the way home "check charge system" was flashing on the computer.
So, I got almost all way home and the battery voltage dropped and the battery went dead. I bought a new battery to get me home, the guy at advance auto told me the alternator was not working. So, we bought a new alternator there and installed it tonight. We reset the computer and the "check charge system" is still coming on the computer. Idk what to do, please help because I am really regretting buying this car. I fear the worst that it will never be fixed.

[H-Rod]

check this out.
http://saleenforums.soec.org/showthr...ight=altenator

[livenlearn]

Idk if I am supposed to put a special pulley on the alternator or what to do. The alternator we took off the car was stamped remanufactured, so
I assume it has already been changed before.

[H-Rod]

Read the number 8 post could be the wiring.

[Jason @ 281m]

Originally Posted by livenlearn

Idk if I am supposed to put a special pulley on the alternator or what to do. The alternator we took off the car was stamped remanufactured, so
I assume it has already been changed before.

Do you have a clutch style pulley or a non-clutch pulley on your alt?

[livenlearn]

i have no idea, i bought it at advance automotive for a stock 2006 gt. And my boyfriend just put it on, and he knows about as much as i do...lol.
Blind leading the blind here. How do i know?

[Dave]

The stock alternator only spins in one direction.

For a Saleen Supercharged car, the alternator is turned around and made it (pulley) spin in both directions. Your new OE alternator needs to spin the opposite direction.

Have no regret. These are great vehicles.

[Jason @ 281m]

Originally Posted by livenlearn

i have no idea, i bought it at advance automotive for a stock 2006 gt. And my boyfriend just put it on, and he knows about as much as i do...lol.
Blind leading the blind here. How do i know?

Take a pic of the pulley on the alt and email it to me.

[livenlearn]

Thanks Dave that helps.
Jason, I will but I will have to do it late tonite or tommarow morning.
I have to travel outta town today.
My nerves are shot all I have been doing is worrying bout this car.

[mikebna]

Hopefully you kept the original pulley from the Saleen alternator?
When I bought a replacement chrome alternator, I removed both pulleys and put the Saleen pulley back onto the new alternator. Even though the pulleys were close to the same size and there was no clutch pulley on the new one, I felt it was better to stay with the original pulley size for belt replacement purposes and so that the alternator would spin at the same speed as the other one did.

[Jason @ 281m]

Originally Posted by livenlearn

Thanks Dave that helps.
Jason, I will but I will have to do it late tonite or tommarow morning.
I have to travel outta town today.
My nerves are shot all I have been doing is worrying bout this car.

I wouldn't stress on this one, its gonna be something stupid.

[Char259]

Those things eat alternators too because of the backward spin

[livenlearn]

I have an appt. on Wednesday at a local shop, they are gonna try to locate my problem. Fingers crossed, We shall see what they find.

[livenlearn]

can anyone tell me where i can get a saleen alternator pulley. Saleen wont answer when i call the parts dept. and they wont call me back when i leave a message.

[Jason @ 281m]

Originally Posted by livenlearn

can anyone tell me where i can get a saleen alternator pulley. Saleen wont answer when i call the parts dept. and they wont call me back when i leave a message.

We can try to get you one.

[o6Saleen E]

Call them and leave them a message saying that you are interested on buying a new car and they'll call you just right back. This has worked for me in the past

Originally Posted by livenlearn

can anyone tell me where i can get a saleen alternator pulley. Saleen wont answer when i call the parts dept. and they wont call me back when i leave a message.

[kenny_k82]

Mine started doing the "charging system" error as well. I put in a new battery but it started again a few days after. So the conclusion to this is that we can use an OEM alternator, but the pulley from the Saleen needs to be switched over to the OEM replacement.?

[livenlearn]

Originally Posted by kenny_k82

Mine started doing the "charging system" error as well. I put in a new battery but it started again a few days after. So the conclusion to this is that we can use an OEM alternator, but the pulley from the Saleen needs to be switched over to the OEM replacement.?

well, that is the conclusion for me so far. I finally got through to
Saleen and the girl said that alternator pulleys are out of stock.
But, i could call a guy named Dave at thier old warehouse in Michigan and try to get one. So, i guess i'll call him on Monday.
I said 'well, how are people supposed to keep driving Saleens if ur company is the only one making parts for our cars and everythings out of stock? '

[o6Saleen E]

Originally Posted by kenny_k82

......but the pulley from the Saleen needs to be switched over to the OEM replacement.?

Not really. I replaced mine with a 200 amp and first did not have the original Saleen pulley and after some hundred miles later switched back to the Saleen and no difference.

[tbar]

Originally Posted by Dave

The stock alternator only spins in one direction.

For a Saleen Supercharged car, the alternator is turned around and made it (pulley) spin in both directions. Your new OE alternator needs to spin the opposite direction.

Have no regret. These are great vehicles.

So I"m trying to understand this cause it sounds like I"ll have to deal with it someday. Doesn't Saleen just use the stock alternator and swap the pulley for the smaller Saleen pulley? I don't get how changing the pulley has any effect on the charging system, other than changing the speed the alternator spins. Or how the pulley has any effect on whether it works spinning in the opposite direction.

[mikebna]

Originally Posted by tbar

So I"m trying to understand this cause it sounds like I"ll have to deal with it someday. Doesn't Saleen just use the stock alternator and swap the pulley for the smaller Saleen pulley? I don't get how changing the pulley has any effect on the charging system, other than changing the speed the alternator spins. Or how the pulley has any effect on whether it works spinning in the opposite direction.

Keep whatever pulley you want, but know that when you buy an OEM alternator that it will have the clutch and you you will need a special tool to remove it so that it can be inatlled at the 180deg position that Saleen made it for and spin the other way.

When I purchased my aftermarket chrome plated alternator, I measured the pulley it came with and it was a hair larger than the Saleen pulley was. I used my air impact gun to remove the nut and to install the original Saleen pulley. By reusing the original pulley I felt reassured that it would be more inline with what Saleen had designed the belt system and speeds at which everything now would spin at.

[livenlearn]

I put a new alternator on the car, it didnt work. so, the ford dealership put the old alternator back on the car, and it worked for about 2 weeks. I even took a 2 day road trip in the car. Now, the check charge system is flashing again and apperantly the battery is not getting charge again. I am at my wits end. I cannot believe I have a car with barely 40,000 miles and it cant even be driven because nobody can fix it. Not including the payment. lol.
Now, i have a mechanic telling me that the computer is probly bad and i will have to replace it because it causing this problem.
So, if it is the computer, does saleen have to program the new computer?
idk. My only other option is to try to sell the car. I just dont have thousands to be shoveling into this car to try to fix it.

[Jason @ 281m]

Originally Posted by livenlearn

I put a new alternator on the car, it didnt work. so, the ford dealership put the old alternator back on the car, and it worked for about 2 weeks. I even took a 2 day road trip in the car. Now, the check charge system is flashing again and apperantly the battery is not getting charge again. I am at my wits end. I cannot believe I have a car with barely 40,000 miles and it cant even be driven because nobody can fix it. Not including the payment. lol.
Now, i have a mechanic telling me that the computer is probly bad and i will have to replace it because it causing this problem.
So, if it is the computer, does saleen have to program the new computer?
idk. My only other option is to try to sell the car. I just dont have thousands to be shoveling into this car to try to fix it.

The problem can be fixed. Call Mark at Performane Autosport. There pretty close to you respectively. It would be a stretch to send it to us just for that.

[livenlearn]

Thanks, ill give it a shot. Richmond is only 5 hours away, too bad ur on the west coast :-(

[Jason @ 281m]

Originally Posted by livenlearn

Thanks, ill give it a shot. Richmond is only 5 hours away, too bad ur on the west coast :-(

Ya I know, but we love our weather!

[livenlearn]

I was gonna take the car to a local garage today and they were gonna go thru the wiring and make sure the alternator charge is not grounding out or not making it back to the battery. So, it started working fine on the way there, and they couldnt check it because its charging again just fine now.
Idk man, i believe my car is haunted like Christine.
But they did mention my supercharger pulley is making noise and the told me
it might need oiled?
how/where would i check the supercharger oil and what kind do i put in it?

[livenlearn]

Well, I'm still trying to get the alternator problem fixed.
Called American Muscle to talk to a "mustang expert" and i WAS gonna purchase one of thier high output 200 amp alternators.
But, the mustang expert could not tell me if any of the alternators they sell will work on a supercharged saleen.
Started the car this morning and the wire that goes from the alternator to the battery started smoking and melted the plastic on it.

If anyone knows where I can buy an alt for my car lemme know.
People cannot tell me if they are selling a clutch or a clutchless alternator.

[Dave]

Talk to JDM Engineering in New Jersey.

http://www.teamjdm.com/

[msb7144]

Wow this sounds like a big PITA! If someone would stock OE alt's for SC cars they would make a bundle. It may seem bad now but once its fixed you will love the car, mine puts a big *** smile on my face everytime I drive it.

[o6Saleen E]

Woa!
If it was melting is because it's getting so hot due to having a huge resistance of current transfer for the amount of gauging available to handle the load. Have you checked throuroughly ALL the ends of the wire, all connectors? Also you need to expose the entire wire, so you see it 100%. I'd do that before going crazy with the alternator. Sorry I haven't read the entire thread just pieces of it. But check the entire wire. Do it obviously with the battery disconnected. It's got a lot of wrapping tape and may have other wires wrapped to it. If its a bit intimidating have so done do it, before going crazy with the alternator.

Originally Posted by livenlearn

Well, I'm still trying to get the alternator problem fixed.
Called American Muscle to talk to a "mustang expert" and i WAS gonna purchase one of thier high output 200 amp alternators.
But, the mustang expert could not tell me if any of the alternators they sell will work on a supercharged saleen.
Started the car this morning and the wire that goes from the alternator to the battery started smoking and melted the plastic on it.

If anyone knows where I can buy an alt for my car lemme know.
People cannot tell me if they are selling a clutch or a clutchless alternator.

[Jason @ 281m]

Originally Posted by livenlearn

Well, I'm still trying to get the alternator problem fixed.
Called American Muscle to talk to a "mustang expert" and i WAS gonna purchase one of thier high output 200 amp alternators.
But, the mustang expert could not tell me if any of the alternators they sell will work on a supercharged saleen.
Started the car this morning and the wire that goes from the alternator to the battery started smoking and melted the plastic on it.

If anyone knows where I can buy an alt for my car lemme know.
People cannot tell me if they are selling a clutch or a clutchless alternator.

Should have given us a call. Good luck with AM!

[livenlearn]

Thank You 06Saleen E, that info helped me a little. Maybe the smoking plastic will at least help me pinpoint the problem.

Originally Posted by o6Saleen E

Woa!
If it was melting is because it's getting so hot due to having a huge resistance of current transfer for the amount of gauging available to handle the load. Have you checked throuroughly ALL the ends of the wire, all connectors? Also you need to expose the entire wire, so you see it 100%. I'd do that before going crazy with the alternator. Sorry I haven't read the entire thread just pieces of it. But check the entire wire. Do it obviously with the battery disconnected. It's got a lot of wrapping tape and may have other wires wrapped to it. If its a bit intimidating have so done do it, before going crazy with the alternator.

[kenny_k82]

I was having the exact same issue. New battery didn't help so I ordered a 200A alternator from AM with upgraded wire kit and the car is running great. I also had the ground to the battery replace as the whole length of ground running to the car was rusted and corroded under the wire cover. It's like $100 ordered from ford.

[Jason @ 281m]

Originally Posted by kenny_k82

I was having the exact same issue. New battery didn't help so I ordered a 200A alternator from AM with upgraded wire kit and the car is running great. I also had the ground to the battery replace as the whole length of ground running to the car was rusted and corroded under the wire cover. It's like $100 ordered from ford.

If you keep the ground wires oiled at the tip next to the connector with a penetrating oil it helps prevent that.