alternator not turning on
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
alternator not turning on
ive been having an issue with my alternator not kicking on when i start my car. if i rev the rpm's up to 2000 the volt gauge will go up to 14volts. i have also confirmed this with a meter. i bought a new alternator from Autozone and have the same issue with it. i unplugged the connector from the alternator and i have 10 volts on one red wire, 12 volts on the other red wire, and nothing on the grey colored one. once i unplug the connector and plug it back in the alternator will kick on then. im stumped. does it take a full 12 volts from the pcm to kick the alternator on? is the 10 volts not enough?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
EDIT: trying to better help you, I searched your previous posts and found out your C5 is a relatively new-to-you, 6-speed 2002 with 80K miles, bought from a dealer, so it is possible your "original" alternator is not the EOM Valeo and it might not be an exact replacement either... Could you please verify that?
Last edited by GCG; Mar 18, 2016 at 10:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
Is this your original, OEM Valeo alternator? Was it fine before and this just began happening? This is typical behavior of a non OEM-equivalent replacement.
EDIT: trying to better help you, I searched your previous posts and found out your C5 is a relatively new-to-you, 6-speed 2002 with 80K miles, bought from a dealer, so it is possible your "original" alternator is not the EOM Valeo and it might not be an exact replacement either... Could you please verify that?
As Akapounder just mentioned, the replacement you bought is not really OEM-equivalent. If your alternator was the original OEM Valeo, don't turn it in as core. It would probably be better to try to rebuild it. Check this post for more info.
EDIT: trying to better help you, I searched your previous posts and found out your C5 is a relatively new-to-you, 6-speed 2002 with 80K miles, bought from a dealer, so it is possible your "original" alternator is not the EOM Valeo and it might not be an exact replacement either... Could you please verify that?
As Akapounder just mentioned, the replacement you bought is not really OEM-equivalent. If your alternator was the original OEM Valeo, don't turn it in as core. It would probably be better to try to rebuild it. Check this post for more info.
the alternator that i just took off of it came from Oreileys Auto parts. I kept it because its farely new. I put it on the car just as soon as i bought it because that one wasnt wanting to put out 14 volts when it got a load put on it. Ive never had an OEM one on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 301
From: Columbia SC
Here is a link related to rebuild shops. We have no idea what year or tranny you have which affects the type for your car.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ternators.html
Mr. Sam
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ternators.html
Mr. Sam
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
Here is a link related to rebuild shops. We have no idea what year or tranny you have which affects the type for your car.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ternators.html
Mr. Sam
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ternators.html
Mr. Sam
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
He never had an original OEM Valeo in his car. The rebuilding path is not really for him. Check Post #4 above.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Replacement alternators and C5s are never a "sure thing". As mentioned above, this is well documented here... just search on the subject and you'll have a better idea of what you're dealing with.
Since you purchased your car without the original OEM Valeo alternator, you don't have its part number. It might be a good idea to look for it and use it as a double-check tool when searching for replacements. Be prepared for a trial-and-error process.
Perhaps you may want to explore the possibility of just replacing the voltage regulator with the right one and see if that does it (for 30 bucks). Check this post for more info.
Since you purchased your car without the original OEM Valeo alternator, you don't have its part number. It might be a good idea to look for it and use it as a double-check tool when searching for replacements. Be prepared for a trial-and-error process.
Perhaps you may want to explore the possibility of just replacing the voltage regulator with the right one and see if that does it (for 30 bucks). Check this post for more info.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
ive tried searching but never have much luck with the search feature on here. i never found that link you just gave me when searching for "alternator". thanks though. im going to buy a regulator and see if that will fix it.
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
UNTIL you MEASURE the voltages on all the areas that you can prove the voltages are what they are suppose to be, its going to be a LONG EXPENSIVE JOURNY!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
i did measure different points. i put that in my first message. when i start the car up im getting around 12 volts at the alternator lug, 12 volts on one of the red wires at the connector for the regulator, nothing on the tan colored wire, and 10 volts on the other red wire on the connector. the gauge inside also reflects this. when i rev it up to 2000 rpms i get 14.7 out of the alternator, 14.7 on the one red wire, not sure on the tan with it running, and still had 10 on the other red wire