Strange charging system issue... HELP!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: SC
Strange charging system issue... HELP!!!
Alright so I just got the car three days ago and haven't noticed this until now. Voltage fluctuates between 13.1 - 13.9 volts. I had the battery tested and its doing 724 CCA at a 540 CCA rating. It's also developed an inconsistent no crank symptom. I hear the fuel pump priming and the CID shows everything as normal but it just doesn't turn over or attempt to then a couple minutes later it will fire right up. I doubt these two are connected but just trying to cover all the bases. Any input???
Cory
Cory
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,153
Likes: 892
From: South Western Ontario
Check the cables to make sure they are tight and that the bolts are not bottoming the the holes on the battery. Then, clean the ground cable where it attaches to the engine and clean the positive cable where it attaches on the solenoid. At the same time, clean the other wires that are also attached to solenoid.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 5
From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
13.1 to 13.9 is normal and tells ya She's putting out and you should hear ur alt whinning. For the not starting problem. Try doing this. Before u turn the key turn on the headlights. Hopefully its in a Garage and u can see the headlights because when u try to start ur motor if the headlights dont dim Then its not ur voltage. If you have a weak battery when trying to start with the lights on your lights will go dead.
If they dont go dim then start looking for a loose connection somewhere and make sure ur pushing the clutch all the way to the floor if its a stick or start checking ur starter connections and or starter
If they dont go dim then start looking for a loose connection somewhere and make sure ur pushing the clutch all the way to the floor if its a stick or start checking ur starter connections and or starter
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: SC
Tested the battery and its good. The alternator doesn't make any noise. That's what's strange. Nothing seems amiss other than the voltage readings. And I checked all the battery cables and they seemed fine. No corrosion. Positive was a bit loose but I tightened it up. Everything else seems in order.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Did you check all the connections on the starter solenoid?? You still could have a bad connection on the solenoid OR the solenoid could be defective not allowing it to crank.
If you whack it and it starts, that most likely the issue.
BC
If you whack it and it starts, that most likely the issue.
BC
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 3
From: Cave Springs Arkansas
Check for loose connections at starter solenoid.
--Disconnect Positive battery terminal.
--Unbolt & lower exhaust Y tube to gain access to solenoid.
--If you take the wires off the solenoid, be sure to put them back on in the same arrangement they came off--I can't remember, but I think one wire is grey & one is orange.
This is a common problem. Your inconsistent starting problem happened to me, too. Will cause inconsistent charging voltage, too. Mine was just barely loose & caused the same thing. I could not tell it was loose until I lowered exhaust so I could see it & check it good. I could not tell it was just a little loose from jiggling it from reaching through up top.
Good luck.
--Disconnect Positive battery terminal.
--Unbolt & lower exhaust Y tube to gain access to solenoid.
--If you take the wires off the solenoid, be sure to put them back on in the same arrangement they came off--I can't remember, but I think one wire is grey & one is orange.
This is a common problem. Your inconsistent starting problem happened to me, too. Will cause inconsistent charging voltage, too. Mine was just barely loose & caused the same thing. I could not tell it was loose until I lowered exhaust so I could see it & check it good. I could not tell it was just a little loose from jiggling it from reaching through up top.
Good luck.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 5
From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
Tested the battery and its good. The alternator doesn't make any noise. That's what's strange. Nothing seems amiss other than the voltage readings. And I checked all the battery cables and they seemed fine. No corrosion. Positive was a bit loose but I tightened it up. Everything else seems in order.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Some things that you should note before you start:
1. Use a DC Volt Meter and Read the voltage directly on the battery terminals (engine running) and note the reading.
2. Read the voltage directly on the large terminal on the back of the alternator. Pos on the terminal and Neg on chassis ground or NEG batt terminal.
BOTH should be the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1. Use a DC Volt Meter and Read the voltage directly on the battery terminals (engine running) and note the reading.
2. Read the voltage directly on the large terminal on the back of the alternator. Pos on the terminal and Neg on chassis ground or NEG batt terminal.
BOTH should be the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: SC
10-4. Thank you sir. I can't wait to dig into that Saturday and figure it out. Plus I have some other plans too. I definitely see some painted calipers and wheels in my near future. Kind of off topic for the subject in question but how does it sound to run a straight pipe instead of mufflers for now as a budget get me by until I do the exhaust I want to? Loud and annoying as I would expect or tolerable until I can justify the $1200 for the Borla catback I want?
Cory
Cory