ZRide

I recently changed out the antenna mast on my 90 ZR-1. Now I have a problem with the battery charging. At start up the voltage gauge needle points right in middle but will go up so to where it would normally be if I hold the RPM's around 1000. After a few minutes the needle will start to go back down even with the RPM's up.

I put a new battery in it and the symptoms persist. My only guess now is I didn't get the wires back on the antenna properly or the alternator is going bad. I find it odd that the alternator would coincidentally start to fail when the antenna was out.

I went to start it today and now the battery is dead. So, I am all ears to any suggestions you have.

Thanks,
Travis

ZR-71

Hard to say, but try charging it while disconnected. Then check the voltage and reconnect to see if it holds voltage while starting. If not, better recheck the wiring

ZRide

I have the battery on the charger now but the battery is still hooked up. Is there an advantage to disconnecting it?

I am trying to find a picture or schematic for the antenna wires hoping that might be the issue.

WVZR-1

With your particular set of circumstances I'd say you get the alternator tested "ON CAR" and maybe do a load test of the electrical while doing. Your fluctuation "in car" can be interpreted as a couple different faults. You mention battery is new, failure of it can't be ruled out but not knowing how long it was actually in the car before failing it's difficult to comment. If you were driving it and the alternator not charging the new then of course the new is going to die.

HAVE YOU CHECKED - CLEANED the side terminals to the battery? Remove the bolt from the cable and clean the larger ring terminal that's actually responsible for continuity/connection to the battery.

The connector to the antenna is a "plug-in" and it would be difficult to assume you've failed there. Does the antenna operate as expected? UP - when on and DOWN when off? You could remove the CTSY fuse and disable the antenna. Did you remove the antenna from the car to replace the mast?

ZRide

I installed the battery after changing the antenna mast & after the charging problem started. I have not checked the ring terminals but will do that next.

I did remove the antenna from the car when I replaced the mast and the antenna operates fine. Can you tell me where the CTSY fuse is?

Thanks,
Travis

gbrtng

There's a remote possibility the antenna motor is not cycling and shutting off like it should when the mast is retracted. So pull the CTSY fuse in the RH dash panel to see if the battery drain drops to zero. Do you have an accurate DVM to measure voltages?

Glenn

ZRide

I will try pulling he CTSY fuse next and see if that has an effect.

Thanks, Glenn.

Travis

Z51JEFF

if the antenna isn't shutting off you will hear it running.

ZRide

After trying several different things the alternator is the problem. I was able to get it checked and that came back as the culprit for the lack of charging.

The question now is, has anyone replaced an alternator without removing the plenum? I saw a YouTube video of the removal & reinstallation but it didn't address the steps up to removing the alternator, such as getting the belt off.

As always, tips & suggestions are appreciated.

Travis

Z51JEFF

From what I understand it can be removed with the plenum in place. Remove the airhorn and you should have room. Getting the belt off takes about 10 seconds. Pull the tensioner up with a wrench,throw the belt off and go from there. If you've never done this there is a provision in the front of the tensioner for a 1/2 inch ratchet. If not clear on this should be on YouTube.

Dynomite

Some Links for ya

Alternator Replacement without Pulling Plenum TIPS
Backup Tail Light Switch and Rebuilding Chrome Alternator

ZRide

Thanks for the tips, guys!

Travis