Alternator Blues~

[Dhaka Wolf]

I have another issue with my sunfire, this time an electrical issue.

Went all day driving and then all of a sudden all my electronics surged and came back on while driving...during this all I heard a rather loud pop. At that point the battery indicator came on and stayed on even after a restart. Managed to make it home on sheer battery power and so I assumed it was the alternator. Replaced the alternator (twice) and still the alternator is neither charging the battery or powering the car. No clue where to begin, help will be much appreciated...

 

[melsg5]

have you checked for any blown fuses? have you checked the alternator output with a voltmeter? have you checked the voltage at the battery with the engine off and with the engine on with a voltmeter?

 

[Dhaka Wolf]

Well that's my main question. There's supposedly a fused link to the alternator that should push power back to the battery and car. Alternator isn't putting out any power. Voltage off is 12v when charged and 13/14 when revving at 1200 rpm.

 

[melsg5]

how can you say the alternator isnt putting out any power and at the same time say battery voltage goes up to 13/14 at 1,200rpm,? why do you think that higher reading occurs with the engine running? It's because the alternator is working. where are you taking the 13/14 reading at the battery or the alternator output terminal?

______________________________

 

[Dhaka Wolf]

No you're right it's only 12, my bad. At this point I'm looking for a short somewhere between the starter and alternator.

 

[Dhaka Wolf]

Ok, so I got the alternator powering everything again. The fuse-able link either from ALT to STARTER or STARTER to BAT is bad. Ran a wire from the alternator and battery and running fine.

 

[melsg5]

glad to hear you got if fixed