Charging System problem?

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Aug 11, 2008 | 04:35 PM

72Shark

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Charging System problem?

In the last week, I've replaced the alternator and battery in my 2002 Z06. DIC read 12.9 volts after I dropped the new battery in, and car ran fine.

This morning (1 week later)...the DIC read 12.2 when started, then 12.1, then 12, then 11.9....

What could possibly be wrong here??

Thanks for your advice!

Jason

Aug 11, 2008 | 05:19 PM

bestvettever

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Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 735

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From: Bucks County Pa

Charging Problem

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72Shark

In the last week, I've replaced the alternator and battery in my 2002 Z06. DIC read 12.9 volts after I dropped the new battery in, and car ran fine.

This morning (1 week later)...the DIC read 12.2 when started, then 12.1, then 12, then 11.9....

What could possibly be wrong here??

Thanks for your advice!

Jason

Hi, while unlikely, it could be the new batt, or alt is faulty, or it could be bad, dirty, or corroded conections. And it could be the dic is not measuring properly. Check the true output at the alt,I believe it's one of the red wires in the connector at the alt, probe it with a voltmeter, and then see if you are getting the same reading at the batt, if not you have a bad cable or connection. If you are getting the same low reading at both, the alt most likely is faulty. It's a good idea to check the connections for cleanliness and tightness at the batt, alt, the cable on the starter,(I think the charging cable goes through the starter on it's way to the batt, and that cable has been known to work its way loose, don't take it for granted), and the fuse block under the batt box.
Good Luck

Last edited by bestvettever; Aug 11, 2008 at 05:31 PM.

Aug 11, 2008 | 05:22 PM

Robertelarkin

Racer

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 271

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From: St. Louis MO

Could be a "grounding" problem.................

Aug 11, 2008 | 05:27 PM

0euro@EFIAlchemy.com

Former Vendor

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,331

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From: Jacksonville Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertelarkin

Could be a "grounding" problem.................

Aug 11, 2008 | 09:06 PM

Choreo

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 6,774

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From: Midland TX

Welcome to the club.

Similar thing here. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...767&highlight=

Having changed out everything I can think of, I am now looking to the alignment of the planets as a possible cause

I was reading 11.9V today on the DIC, which I have now proven is always off by .5V, but still not sure why my voltage is fluctuating when I come to a stop. Also seems to pick a different range to swing in every time I get in the car?

I have probed the car with the multimeter so many times I have having to start using Vaseline or it squeaks at me!

Last edited by Choreo; Aug 11, 2008 at 09:10 PM.

Aug 11, 2008 | 09:11 PM

robsc501

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,496

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From: LEBANON PA.

Hi There,
Is your alternator a new or rebuilt one?Most of the time rebuilt items are not bench tested or incorrectly reassembled & your car is the first test the alternator sees.Do a voltage test on the alternator. If it tests ok then have the battery load tested.
robsc501

Aug 11, 2008 | 09:52 PM

dgrant3830

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 10,962

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From: Van Buren Arkansas

Wounded Warrior Escort '11

There is a ground connection between the battery and the engine fuse box, mounted to the frame down in there. If I understood a post by Bill Curlee, thats where some issues with battery voltage happen if all the other things have been tried as mentioned above.