2G help, electrical problems

[adolfobc99]

bought a dsm 99 eclipse gsx a few days ago. It has a 16g turbo. First my gauges stopped working except the fuel gauge. And shortly after car stopped turning on. has a brand new alternator and had it checked out and is working perfectly fine. I have checked every fuse and replaced the ones that were burned out. gauges still wont work. The alternator works but i'm not sure if its giving any charge to the battery. Sometimes it works perfectly fine and later it wont turn on again. Any ideas?

 

[TunedUp]

Check the resistance on the cable from alternator to battery and while your at it check resistance on battery cables too. Also, when you replace burned out fuses you might want to find what burned them out instead of just replacing them.

 

[BostonGST]

sounds like a short. See where the gauges are powered from and work from there

 

[luv2rallye]

What's the voltage at the battery terminals with everything off, engine off and head lights on, engine running and head lights off, engine running and head lights on?

BTW it's easier (and more conclusive) to measure voltage drops (under load) across power cables and battery terminals than to measure resistance.

 

[TunedUp]

BTW it's easier (and more conclusive) to measure voltage drops (under load) across power cables and battery terminals than to measure resistance.

I'm use to working in a dealership and warranty officials want resistance numbers not voltage drop, but yes voltage drop is easier but they are the same outcome honestly. If your resistance is too high your losing volts and with voltage drop you can see how many volts your losing.
Oh also so there is no confusion to check resistance you have to remove electrical source. And like luv2rallye stated you can test voltage drop under a load.

 

[luv2rallye]

voltage drop is easier but they are the same outcome honestly. If your resistance is too high your losing volts and with voltage drop you can see how many volts your losing.

Well not always the same outcome. Resistance can sometimes change with large current flowing due to the wire or connection heating up. And loose connections can show resistance all over the place. This is why voltage is a more reliable test and shows what really is going on. However voltage testing requires the load current in question to be flowing (eg. starter running) and so is more of a diagnostic test to identify where the problem is. If you don't have/want load current flowing than a resistance test is the way to go - just make sure no current is flowing or voltage present there or you will get a false reading.