FRIED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR--ANY EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
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FRIED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR--ANY EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP
I feel like I have checked all the ground wires and see nothing that could be causing this problem--I put in the new alternator and a new battery as it killed a cell, it seemed to be charging I monitored it on the dash and digital gauge for two days it fluxuated some but kept between about 11.8 and 13.1 and had seemed to settle at about 12.6 on the charging then last night on the way to the airport (middle of nowhere of course) same thing as early in the week "charging system not functioning" or similar message, had to have it towed back to my house---are there any fuses or a list of ground wires I have missed, anyone gone through this to find a wire fried somewhere etc, any help appreciated----thanks bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Panama City Beach FL
Re: FRIED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR--ANY EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP (NEPTUNEBILL)
You brought back some memories when I changed the alternator and battery on my daily driver. The replaced alternator died about 2 days later - similar to your story. What I forgot to do was to reconnect two wires with a male connector into the back of the alternator. I was rather lucky the parts shop exchanged it for another at no cost to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Wichita KS
Re: FRIED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR--ANY EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP (NEPTUNEBILL)
..... seemed to settle at about 12.6 on the charging ....l
The voltage regulator in the generator is turned on by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) once the PCM detects the car is running. The voltage regulator controls current to the rotor, thereby controlling output voltage.
If the PCM does not send the signal to the voltage regulator, or the signal is not getting through because of a poor connection, then the alternator will not turn on.
You might check the PCM Connector and other wires for poor connections. (Did you ever have a battery leak?)
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Melting Slicks
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Re: FRIED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR--ANY EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP (mapman)
No Battery Leak, my PCM is obviously tuned for the blower etc. is this something the local dealership can correct without destroying my programing if this is the case.
Safety Car
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From: St. Joseph MO
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Re: FRIED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR--ANY EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP (NEPTUNEBILL)
You'll get "charge system fault" message if the pcm notices any problems with the alternator stator/rectifier operation. However this alarm can reset itself every 30 seconds or so. I'd check to make sure none of the wires for the field plug to the alternator are able to slide in/out of the slot and then stick a volt meter on the alt to see what it's doing. Good luck
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Melting Slicks
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Re: FRIED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR--ANY EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP (JoeyG)
Thanks Joey I check the wiring harness, I think like Mapman saids it sounds like the damn computer is not turning the alt on, the problem started like a short of some sort out of the clear blue and I'm not sure the new alt ever worked at all, what a pisser to a have a 10cent wire screw up the entire car.
Safety Car
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From: St. Joseph MO
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Re: FRIED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR--ANY EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP (NEPTUNEBILL)
Another test would be to start the car, then remove the battery terminal + , then see what your voltage readout is, measure also. The car will run off the alternator, however your battery won't be charging.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
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Re: FRIED ANOTHER ALTERNATOR--ANY EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP (JoeyG)
The alt is deff not charging the battery and I replaced the battery with a new one and come to find it was not charging it as well--there is something between the two that is not letting it happen, I swear I would rather have to pull the damn motor than to try to find an elec problem particullarly in a c5---