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clthomps
Novice
May 6, 2010, 2:17 PM
Post #1 of 15
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Charging system problem
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I need help figuring out were the problem is in my charging system. I replaced the alternator, batter and the cable from the alternator to the fuse box and the car still shuts off when I remove the jumper cables. I have a feeling I am missing something obvious but for the life of me I can't seem to figure it out.
The car in question is:
1999
Chevy
Tracker
1.6 liter
109k miles
Thanks for any help.
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 6, 2010, 8:30 PM
Post #2 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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have you checked the fuse for the alternator? Check the plug at the alternator for power to the field coil. If no power to it your alternator won't be able to charge
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re-tired
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/ Moderator
May 6, 2010, 9:17 PM
Post #3 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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Make sure you removed the shipping caps if top post and make sure you do not have a Hard Blue crust on your terminals if side post.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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clthomps
Novice
May 6, 2010, 11:14 PM
Post #4 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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I just replaced my busted multimeter and took voltage.
1.3 v on the drained battery
12.3v with the jumper cables on
11.5v when the car is running
So it seems that the alternator is not putting out anything.
I re-tightened the belts to no avail. I don't think the alternator is dead since I just had it cleaned and tested yesterday. Any Ideas what to do?
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re-tired
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May 7, 2010, 12:20 AM
Post #5 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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the car still shuts off when I remove the jumper cables. I have a feeling I am missing something obvious but for the life of me I can't seem to figure it out.
The car in question is:
1999
Chevy
Tracker
1.6 liter
109k miles
The eng should still run on just the battery . Even with it a little weak . Check the voltage on the cars battery cables , poke thru the insulation about 2" from the battery .
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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clthomps
Novice
May 7, 2010, 3:39 PM
Post #6 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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I checked and its still reading the same. I think I am going to pull the alternator and have it tested at my local auto-zone. I really hope that the problem is that the new alternator is faulty.... Because At this point I replaced everything I can think of and its still not working.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 7, 2010, 4:13 PM
Post #7 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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Before you take it off, check for power at the large main terminal with the engine OFF. If you find no power there, then you have either a burnt fusible link or battery connection problem.
Have you tried charging the battery first before starting it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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clthomps
Novice
May 7, 2010, 5:23 PM
Post #8 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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Yup, I checked both, and charged the battery.
I just pulled the alternator, and tested it..... It failed!
So after 4 days of headache, and replacing everything in the charging system it turned out to be the New alternator was defective...
I am taking it back tomorrow, I will post if another new one fixes the problem.
Thanks for all the help guys!
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Loren Champlain Sr
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May 7, 2010, 5:31 PM
Post #9 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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clt; Be sure to have the battery fully charged before you start it with the new alternator. You can damage the new alternator if you don't.
Loren
SW Washington
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clthomps
Novice
May 7, 2010, 10:55 PM
Post #10 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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Oh? I didn't know that 
What exactly does it do?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 8, 2010, 2:45 AM
Post #11 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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Loren is right. If you install a new alternator with a discharged battery, it requires the alternator to work at full output and they are not designed to do that and many will fail right there.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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bob1
User
May 8, 2010, 8:21 AM
Post #12 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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Just a comment on alternators: they don't have permanent magnets like generators do. Used to be if you had a dead battery ( and a stick shift) you could push the car, pop the clutch and be on your way. Alternators need an external voltage ( from the battery) to operate properly. Newer batteries used in cars today are not designed to be discharged until completely dead, they won't recharge in the vehicle. The old style batteries were like todays deep cycle batteries and could be completely discharged without any problem.
(This post was edited by bob1 on May 10, 2010, 10:27 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 8, 2010, 11:55 AM
Post #13 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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Bob, I'm not sure where your getting your ideas about batteries but they aren't very accurate. You could no more run an older battery down then you can the newer ones. Whether the car has an alternator or a generator makes no difference in whether it can be push started. If the old battery has enough juice to run the ignition system, it will push start, even without a charging system. The newer batteries will recharge in the car. The problem is that there is a very good chance it will take the alternator out in the process because they aren't designed for sustained maximum output.
You really shouldn't ask for advice on your own car in one thread and then give advice to someone else on the same subject in another thread.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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clthomps
Novice
May 8, 2010, 11:12 PM
Post #14 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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Well good to know. I would guess thats why my voltage regulator failed in the new alternator....
So what should my battery read before I install the alternator?
After taking it to get recharged at auto-zone its at 11.3v, should I take it back and have it charged to 12.5v ?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 9, 2010, 4:32 AM
Post #15 of 15
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Re: Charging system problem
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A good, fully charged battery should read about 12.6 volts. You are either not fully charged or the battery is bad.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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