Charging system dilemna
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Roy, Utah
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 90-95 ZZ4 Crate 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 4spd Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Charging system dilemna
Evening group, 1986 IROC-Z, 305 TPI, 700R4.
Driving my car last weekend and glanced at the instrument voltmeter gauge and it read under 8 volts. Changed the alternator with a remanufactured alternator (108AMP). Bench checked replacement alternator, at 14 V output.
For a safe measure, changed battery out with a Duralast Gold. Got it checked out at O'Reilly's while running and the battery stored 12 V.
He checked the starter volts and they were in parameters.
Heard stories that if you put a new battery and alternator in it'll read low until the voltage regulator identifies a need to charge. Sounds like an old wife's tale. Car's reading just above 9V in the instruments. I had recently been detailing my entire engine bay and waxed the firewall and spray a light dust coat of bulldog to give a light sheen on the harnesses. Last night I cleaned the negative cable and reinstalled it, with no results.
My car usually read around 13-14 Volts. I cleaned the ground cable and checked for a loose starter cable...it's tight. Ran the motor and turned on the parking lights and they might as well be candle lights on a old horse and carriage. What am I missing here?:
---End Quote---
Driving my car last weekend and glanced at the instrument voltmeter gauge and it read under 8 volts. Changed the alternator with a remanufactured alternator (108AMP). Bench checked replacement alternator, at 14 V output.
For a safe measure, changed battery out with a Duralast Gold. Got it checked out at O'Reilly's while running and the battery stored 12 V.
He checked the starter volts and they were in parameters.
Heard stories that if you put a new battery and alternator in it'll read low until the voltage regulator identifies a need to charge. Sounds like an old wife's tale. Car's reading just above 9V in the instruments. I had recently been detailing my entire engine bay and waxed the firewall and spray a light dust coat of bulldog to give a light sheen on the harnesses. Last night I cleaned the negative cable and reinstalled it, with no results.
My car usually read around 13-14 Volts. I cleaned the ground cable and checked for a loose starter cable...it's tight. Ran the motor and turned on the parking lights and they might as well be candle lights on a old horse and carriage. What am I missing here?:
---End Quote---
Last edited by SRKLEGIN; 08-13-2013 at 06:45 PM. Reason: finish statement
#2
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1991 Z28 w/G92
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Charging system dilemna
Is the alternator receiving excitation on the #1 terminal (roughly battery voltage on the #1 terminal in the plug with the key ON)? Note: Do not connect straight 12V to this terminal with an external jumper wire just to try it. There needs to be a current limiting resistor or bulb in that excitation circuit to prevent damaging the regulator.
Is the alternator receiving voltage sense on the #2 terminal (roughly battery voltage at all times the battery is connected)?
Is the alternator receiving voltage sense on the #2 terminal (roughly battery voltage at all times the battery is connected)?
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Roy, Utah
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 90-95 ZZ4 Crate 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 4spd Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: Charging system dilemna
Is the alternator receiving excitation on the #1 terminal (roughly battery voltage on the #1 terminal in the plug with the key ON)? Note: Do not connect straight 12V to this terminal with an external jumper wire just to try it. There needs to be a current limiting resistor or bulb in that excitation circuit to prevent damaging the regulator.
Is the alternator receiving voltage sense on the #2 terminal (roughly battery voltage at all times the battery is connected)?
Is the alternator receiving voltage sense on the #2 terminal (roughly battery voltage at all times the battery is connected)?
#4
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1991 Z28 w/G92
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Charging system dilemna
If you're going to work on the electrical system of your car, or anything else for that matter, go spend $10-$20 for a basic multi meter. By all means spend more if you want, but it's not necessary to adequately cover the basics.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Roy, Utah
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 90-95 ZZ4 Crate 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 4spd Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: Charging system dilemna
Okay, appreciate your response...let me get one. Have been looking over the wiring schematics and maybe have identified the issue. Since I have been detailing and painting the bay, the brackets and spacers on the alternator need to be grounded as well...the voltmeter gauge is fluctuating, which rules out the fuse and fusible links. Thanks again...
#6
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Roxboro NC and PSL FL
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 Pontiac GTA and 4 Camaros
Engine: 5.7
Re: Charging system dilemna
Check the plug that goes into the alternator too! maybe have a friend watch the voltage and push it in hard and wiggle it. I had the same problem once and I about pulled my hair out.......I was sitting in the car watching the meter and my husband was messing with things and all of the sudden the volts jumped up to just above 13. I asked him what he did and he said he just wiggled the plug and wires a bit
#7
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1991 Z28 w/G92
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Charging system dilemna
Yes, the plug contains the excitation wire and the sense wire. If the contacts in the plug aren't making good contact with the regulator terminals in the alternator it's not going to work very well.
I guess I jumped right to the multi meter suggestion on the assumption that one would check the contacts on the electrical plug/connection as basic troubleshooting.
I guess I jumped right to the multi meter suggestion on the assumption that one would check the contacts on the electrical plug/connection as basic troubleshooting.
Trending Topics
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Roy, Utah
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 90-95 ZZ4 Crate 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 4spd Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: Charging system dilemna
Yes, the plug contains the excitation wire and the sense wire. If the contacts in the plug aren't making good contact with the regulator terminals in the alternator it's not going to work very well.
I guess I jumped right to the multi meter suggestion on the assumption that one would check the contacts on the electrical plug/connection as basic troubleshooting.
I guess I jumped right to the multi meter suggestion on the assumption that one would check the contacts on the electrical plug/connection as basic troubleshooting.
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Roy, Utah
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 90-95 ZZ4 Crate 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 4spd Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: Charging system dilemna
Thanks to all for your suggestions and guidance!!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AmpleUnicorn88
Interior Parts Wanted
16
11-29-2015 05:45 PM