Alternator output issues !!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: CHIPMAN ALBERTA
Alternator output issues !!!
Hello out there in Corvette land !!!!
My problem is a alternator output issue,i recently installed a new 383 stroker in my 1994 coupe [copper coloured ]and after getting everything swaped over to this beauty of a engine,which runs excellent,but cannot drive it until i get this charging problem resolved !!!!
I removed the alternator and got it bench tested and it puts out well,for a new alternator by the way !!!! But when i reinstalled it i only get battery voltage at the output terminal on alternator,i checked connections at fuse box behind battery whre fuseable links connect,no change, does anyone out there have any idea on whats going ,or had the same issues !!!!!
I would greatly appreciate any feed back on this problem,as i am very eager on getting this baby back on the road and check out the new power plant on my babe !!!
My problem is a alternator output issue,i recently installed a new 383 stroker in my 1994 coupe [copper coloured ]and after getting everything swaped over to this beauty of a engine,which runs excellent,but cannot drive it until i get this charging problem resolved !!!!
I removed the alternator and got it bench tested and it puts out well,for a new alternator by the way !!!! But when i reinstalled it i only get battery voltage at the output terminal on alternator,i checked connections at fuse box behind battery whre fuseable links connect,no change, does anyone out there have any idea on whats going ,or had the same issues !!!!!
I would greatly appreciate any feed back on this problem,as i am very eager on getting this baby back on the road and check out the new power plant on my babe !!!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
yep..
check the 'other' plug on the alt and clean it WELL and trace the wires back to see if one got damaged from the engine install. Its NOT UNUSUAL for a wire to get pinched during an engine drop...harness gets hung or caught under something...gets damaged as the engine is set down. Or the wires can get stretched and broken inside the loom from getting hung either lifting out or dropping in. Your alt section is right there close to the driver side motor mount...with more toward the firewall where it does get bumped around.
beyond that, the alt charge can also be effected by the quality of the wires on the jumper post if you have one. There IS a wire on the pos side of the battery OR on the jumper post that supplies the alt signal and lets it charge. Clean those well. Wire brush the contact surface then re-attach. Not unusual for a good alt to start showing <12v with engine running...when it does, its usually the connections and NOT the regulator thats failed. Simple cleaning will get the voltage back up to 14+ at start up.
check the 'other' plug on the alt and clean it WELL and trace the wires back to see if one got damaged from the engine install. Its NOT UNUSUAL for a wire to get pinched during an engine drop...harness gets hung or caught under something...gets damaged as the engine is set down. Or the wires can get stretched and broken inside the loom from getting hung either lifting out or dropping in. Your alt section is right there close to the driver side motor mount...with more toward the firewall where it does get bumped around.
beyond that, the alt charge can also be effected by the quality of the wires on the jumper post if you have one. There IS a wire on the pos side of the battery OR on the jumper post that supplies the alt signal and lets it charge. Clean those well. Wire brush the contact surface then re-attach. Not unusual for a good alt to start showing <12v with engine running...when it does, its usually the connections and NOT the regulator thats failed. Simple cleaning will get the voltage back up to 14+ at start up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
After you check the obvious stuff (pinched wires, bad/corroded connections, etc.), it could be something weird. As what happened to me: as in flaky alternator (intermittent open circuit).
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ator-woes.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ator-woes.html
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I had the intermittent "now it's charging, now it isn't" thing happen to me. The rebuilt alternator had been on the car at least 5 years without problems. When it wasn't charging I smacked it with a hammer and it started charging. I took it apart, cleaned everything and put it back together. I couldn't find anything wrong inside but it's been fine for several years since then. I guess it was a loose connection -- no way to know for sure.
