C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Alt trouble???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 31, 2005 | 08:21 PM
  #1  
74droptop's Avatar
74droptop
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: lantana,fl.
Default Alt trouble???

I have a problem with my alt not charging properly.
This happend with the old rebuilt one first "same problem"

Then I added dual spal fans a different atl stock type same problem.

Then I bought a 100amp single wire from Jegs same problem.
Then I replaced the battery same problem.

It doesn't put out a charge untill I rev it up then the gauge only reads just under 14 volts,when i measure at the back of the alt same voltage.

When all this started the battery will lose charge too goes dead in less than a week if not used.

I checked with a volt meter at the battery for a draw by pulling one fuse at a time and the meter doesn't move. Can't seem to locate the problem.

Someone else must of had this problem before what was the fix???
I've owned this car for 10 years never had this problem before untill about a year and half ago.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2005 | 10:25 PM
  #2  
wombvette's Avatar
wombvette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Default

It is hard to diagnose with that discription, but I can tell you that one wire alternators typically dont charge until reved up. Most alternators will not charge at full capacity until it get up some speed on the engine. If you have a new battery and the thing goes down in less than a week, there is definitely some minor draw. Some circuits are not fused, so pulling fuses will not necessarily find the culprit.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2005 | 11:13 PM
  #3  
74droptop's Avatar
74droptop
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: lantana,fl.
Default

I had this problem before with the stock 3 wire alt,so I know it's not the alternator.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2005 | 01:16 AM
  #4  
wombvette's Avatar
wombvette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Default

So, what exactly is the problem? Most of the stated symptoms are perfectly normal operation. The only abnormal thing is the battery going down. Either it is a bad battery or something is drawing it when the car is off. The lack of charge at low RPM is normal, especially for a one wire application, and a 14 volt output is also perfectly normal. You have a draw somehere. You will have to find it.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2005 | 07:43 AM
  #5  
74droptop's Avatar
74droptop
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: lantana,fl.
Default

Originally Posted by wombvette
So, what exactly is the problem? Most of the stated symptoms are perfectly normal operation. The only abnormal thing is the battery going down. Either it is a bad battery or something is drawing it when the car is off. The lack of charge at low RPM is normal, especially for a one wire application, and a 14 volt output is also perfectly normal. You have a draw somehere. You will have to find it.

Let me clarify, before problem ever started. I had stock alt, 14.5 volts
when the car would idle,did not have to rev it up,never had a battery drain problem. Nothing was added or removed from car when this problem started.

all other work and parts was done with this problem all ready there.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2005 | 09:38 AM
  #6  
lil75vette's Avatar
lil75vette
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Point Pleasant NJ
Default

sounds like you have a short somewhere...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Alt trouble???





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:16 PM.

story-0
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-4
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE