Not recharging

[Carleton]

Hi guys
The other day my voltage meter started going down. Just made it to my mechanic before the gage was totally at zero.

Recharge and checked the battery. Thats ok.

Replaced the alternator. Although the voltage meter is at 12 now, it still is not recharging. The meter does not fluctuate at all when reving the engine.

Replaced the voltage regulator. Still the same problem.

Were kind of stumped. Any suggestions.

Thanks in advance
Carleton

[xlr8or]

Have you tried another guage?

I would take a hand held guage and check the line coming out of the alternator and see what it is at and also check at the wire going to the guage.
You can also check on the fuse block at an always on location and see if that changes when you start the car. It should go up a little.

[Whaler]

Skip the gauge for now..use a multimeter on the battery itelf.
The charging circuit can be checked by measuring the voltage across the battery while the engine is running at about 2000RPM. The voltage should be about 13.5 Volts and should alter only a little when you put all the lights on.
Make sure you do have a line connected between that new alternator and the positive side of the solenoid/battery...You may not be getting the alt output to the battery.

Do this first then we go from there. It seems you have replaced most of the charging cct by now

Tim

[SCOBRAC]

get a warranty with that alternator?

[jwoodard]

Make sure you have a good ground from engine to battery, probably to the frame, but make sure the ground strap/wire is of sufficient guage and the contact point is clean. Also, make sure your guage has a good ground. You can check this by running a simple test. Make a temporary ground for your guage out of 12 or 14 guage wire and run it a known good ground. Run your engine and see if you notice any difference. I experienced the same symptoms as you and the cure was in the grounds.

Jim

[Carleton]

My problem was a simply one. One of the alternator wires got burn on the headers and shorted out.

thank you everyone for your help

Carleton

[Whaler]

You said....

"My problem was a simply one. One of the alternator wires got burn on the headers and shorted out. "

Bingo!


Glad you found the problem was this before or after the original problem?

[Carleton]

Whaler

This was my original problem. Just couldn't see this so we naturally assume the problem was the alternator. Then thought the voltage regulator.

We should have look over the whole system first, but I and the mechanic were in a rush.

thanks again
Carleton