Alternator Question
#21
Car started up this morning without issue. Do not have a volt meter but dash gauage was reading 13.9 for battery once vehicle is on. This means it cannot be the alternator correct? Wouldn’t it read around 12 if it was the alternator?
#22
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Voltage reading on DIC is not true battery voltage at the battery !!!...circuit testing MUST be done at the battery...DVOM's are dirt CHEAP...get yourself one !!!
#23
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When you get a DVOM !!....you can crank the engine without it starting by doing a "clear flood crank"...pedal to floor while cranking...engine won't start !!...less than 1/2 volt drop...and check alternator side also !!....MANY DIY’ers have problems understanding current flow on the negative side of circuits !!
Last edited by C5 Diag; 09-19-2018 at 09:58 AM.
#25
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#27
Melting Slicks
If indeed you have an abnormal battery drain, installing a battery switch is just a palliative, not a solution.
To check the drain, disconnect the cable from the (-) battery post and insert a multimeter set to read current in the 10A range. Connect the multimeter's negative lead to the (-) battery post and the multimeter's positive lead to the negative battery cable you just disconnected. Wait for the car to go into sleep mode and check the current. Normal reading should be around 25mA.
Here is a cut and past of a Bill Curlee writeup on C5 current drain issues. He suggests that between 15mA and 30mA (0.015A and 0.03A) is the correct expected draw:
The correct BCM current draw should be 30 Milliamps or less. Most C5 run around 25ma
but I have see some as low as 15 ma.
Leave the engine compartment fuse box for last and start with the passengers compartment box first. Pull the power seat breakers FIRST! The power seats have a tendancy stay on and cause this issue.
Also pull the fuses for the Bose system amps.
Examine the car in the dark for lights staying ON.
Once you prove the interior circuits good,,, check the headlight circuits, and then test the current draw of the alternator.
Look at my electrical stickey. I think I cover this in detail in that post.
There are several COMMON things that cause excessive current draw
- Seat multifunction switch & Lumbar Switch
- Bose Amps relay stuck on
- Alternator didoes bad and drawing current
- Headlight control module bad
- Interior light on (check in the dark)
- Added aftermarket accessory not shutting off
but I have see some as low as 15 ma.
Leave the engine compartment fuse box for last and start with the passengers compartment box first. Pull the power seat breakers FIRST! The power seats have a tendancy stay on and cause this issue.
Also pull the fuses for the Bose system amps.
Examine the car in the dark for lights staying ON.
Once you prove the interior circuits good,,, check the headlight circuits, and then test the current draw of the alternator.
Look at my electrical stickey. I think I cover this in detail in that post.
There are several COMMON things that cause excessive current draw
- Seat multifunction switch & Lumbar Switch
- Bose Amps relay stuck on
- Alternator didoes bad and drawing current
- Headlight control module bad
- Interior light on (check in the dark)
- Added aftermarket accessory not shutting off
Last edited by GCG; 09-19-2018 at 01:18 PM.
#28
Thank you for all of the suggestions. Just got back from auto zone. Battery test is good. Turned car on and at battery read a little low. Went to alternator and connected positive and ground. Alternator was good. However, losing power going from alternator to battery. The power was much greater at the alternator than at the battery with vehicle on. This would be a connection, terminal, etc if I am not mistaken. Going to dig further.
#32
Le Mans Master
#34
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Thank you for all of the suggestions. Just got back from auto zone. Battery test is good. Turned car on and at battery read a little low. Went to alternator and connected positive and ground. Alternator was good. However, losing power going from alternator to battery. The power was much greater at the alternator than at the battery with vehicle on. This would be a connection, terminal, etc if I am not mistaken. Going to dig further.
#35
#37
Melting Slicks
This is a view from below, passenger's side:
This is another angle:
And another one:
#38
From the top I traced down and found this loose connector. But I’m the pic above it looks like it is disconnected as well. What is this and should this be hanging unconnected?
could I have found my issue?
could I have found my issue?
#40
Le Mans Master