Alternator HELP !
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 79
Alternator HELP !
My car has been tucked away pretty much all winter. I went to drive it the other day and I'm getting a service charging system message on the dash and the car has trouble starting. Voltage drops the longer it runs. Took to dealer and alternator replaced. Still nothing.
I don't know what caused it so I'll mention a couple things that I'm thinking. Could it possibly be the battery? It wouldn't really make sense but anything is possible.
I changed spark plugs from a 7 to an 8.
I tried wiring my wideband directly to the alternator power output because I thought it was a switched power source. So the car idled while running the wideband directly off the alternator for a few minutes but then a took it back off because its always hot and I didn't know. Could that have been what caused this to start? I don't know. Is there a fuse I could have popped or something?
I don't know what caused it so I'll mention a couple things that I'm thinking. Could it possibly be the battery? It wouldn't really make sense but anything is possible.
I changed spark plugs from a 7 to an 8.
I tried wiring my wideband directly to the alternator power output because I thought it was a switched power source. So the car idled while running the wideband directly off the alternator for a few minutes but then a took it back off because its always hot and I didn't know. Could that have been what caused this to start? I don't know. Is there a fuse I could have popped or something?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 265
From: montreal quebec
I would start at the beginning, which is your battery. A faulty battery can cause all kind of weird issues. Worse case, just return it to the store. Your wideband needs a power source that will be turned off with the ignition, it will drain your battery. Then take a volt meter to measure the output at the alternator bornes. I would do this and most likely solve your issue.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Several people have confirmed that going from OEM spark plugs to a different brand, caused intermittant alternator problems. But I'm not sure what changing "from a 7 to an 8" means.
Best of luck to you, and to your wallet.
Best of luck to you, and to your wallet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
St. Jude Donor '10
If a new alternator, and still dropping volts, have the battery checked. If battery is good, it's probably the starter solenoid. The starters and voltage regulators/alternators in the C6's kinda suck...having been through 3 of each, I can say that. LOL!
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 370
From: Forney TX
Schematic attached.
If the voltage is low, you more than likely have a loss in continuity between the ECM and the 2-pin plug on the alternator or a defective alternator.
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