1g alternator issues

91eclipseDSM · Mar 28, 2013

Hey everyone, so im having an odd problem with my 1g. The alternator seems to not be giving me any charging voltage, its a simple enough system... plug and positive so im lost as to where the problem is. The car just runs off the battery until it cant sustain then it dies, i can jump it and it will run for 30 secs then die. When i pull the positive the car dies instantly. I have tried 2 different alternators, new power cable from the battery to alt fuse and still nothing. The when jumped and running the voltage at the battery and alt b post are the same at 12v as if the alt isnt giving me anything. Any help is appreciated!

all inside fuses- good
alt fuse-good
positive from battery- connected
upper plug- connected
belt tension- good

pitbull419 · Mar 28, 2013

Did you put the loop connectors back on the stud?

blakkat · Mar 28, 2013

Check the alternator relay.

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Here is the wiring diagram.

bigbird94 · Mar 28, 2013

Have you had the battery tested? That would be next on my list.

91eclipseDSM · Mar 28, 2013

pitbull419 said:
Did you put the loop connectors back on the stud?

ive got 1 loop connector with 2 wires connected to terminal b on the alternator is that what you're talking about?

bigbird94 said:
Have you had the battery tested? That would be next on my list.

the batteries been tested,charged, and ran down many times in this process after a jump start the altenator should run it right? it does on my buddies 1g anyways

pitbull419 · Mar 28, 2013

blakkat said:
Check the alternator relay.
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Here is the wiring diagram.

this your next step then. If your seeing 12v at post b

Throwback23 · Mar 28, 2013

I spent a chunk off time trying to figure this out today for my buddy 91eclipseDSM. We had another running 1g at our disposal so we test and replaced everything we could think of, relay, battery, altornator, positive cable to alt fuse, alt fuse, added an extra ground to alt and cleaned all parts that ground the alt. It worked for a while giving us 14.6v then what do you know back to 12v and running off the battery alone. We get source voltge and nothing more at the b termimal on alt with them car running, we also get a voltage at them plug I forget but I wants to say it was source voltage also. Stumped

91-GS · Mar 28, 2013

How did the issue start in the first place?

Throwback23 · Mar 28, 2013

Well from what he told me it sounded as if the car has had a parasitic draw, draining his battery a few times while it sat. That aside he said the real issue came on when he tried to install a stereo and grounded a power cable poping a few fuses and completely killing the switched power on the stereo wiring, even with new fuses the constant gives you power but the switched is dead. Beyond that im not sure if theres more to the story he will have to chime in on that. The charging system seems pretty simple, who knew LOL

? Its possible im brain farting and overlooking the obvious. :idontknow:

91-GS · Mar 28, 2013

Throwback23, do believe there were threads about all those issues with this car, but it was some time ago. Sounds really familiar, anyway.

What i am thinking now is that there is a short or some other kind of high draw that damages the alternators, that's why different ones did not seem to help. Have y'all tried to use an alternator out of this car in another car (or have taken it to a parts store for testing)?

Edit: Here is a full charging diagram, somewhat different from what blakkat posted.
Found at DIAKOM-AUTO, originally by Mitchell.

Throwback23 · Mar 28, 2013

Sounds very plausible, both altornators passed the good old autozone test. I think it might be time to dig a little deeper....bummer LOL

91-GS · Mar 28, 2013

Does the light come on saying that it's not charging? Kinda silly question, but asking 'just in case'

Throwback23 · Mar 28, 2013

The light doesnt come on at all, honestly im not completely sure that his cluster worked since he has had it. I know the speedometer works but others then that I think everything else is in need of attention. This is all with new fuses im pretty sure he tried another cluster too.

DropSomeMoney · Mar 29, 2013

Sounds like you keeps blowing regulators. Are you sure everything read fine when you tried the new alternator?

91-GS · Mar 29, 2013

Charge up the battery all the way. Disconnect alternator completely (but leave it on the car). Start the car. Check to see if alternator is making power. If so, connect next wire. Recheck for voltage. Repeat until voltage disappears. The issue will be in the last part that was connected.
UNLESS this is not a permanent-magnet setup. That means it will have to have the battery hooked up to even start generating power. Could try to run a 'new' wire from + and - of the battery to correct pins on the alternator to give it the power it needs.

DropSomeMoney · Mar 29, 2013

Sorry didn't see the last post. So both alternators were not working on the vehicle and then you took them to autozone after and tested them and they worked?

Throwback23 · Mar 29, 2013

We had both tested fine and upon install they both gave the same result in that it wouldn't give you anything more then what the battery had to offer. We randomly had a moment of succesafter trying everything I could think of and the alt gave us 14.6v and would run the car alone but after roughly 10 mins it spontaneously decided to rain on our parade and go back to its old ways. Hopfully I awnsered your question

DropSomeMoney · Mar 29, 2013

It's most likely going to be the wire in your alternator plug that runs to the ignition. Or your ignitition itself.

90creamGS · Jun 10, 2016

Anyone figure out what the problem was? I have a 90' eclipse gs. I am the second owner, and I got the car, It drove fine then three months down the road the alt went bad so i replaced it and nit didnt work, Now after 7 different alternators I am at a loss and dont know what to do. I have also replaced the battery twice and still, nothing has solved my issue. I am new to the dsm world and could really use someone's input.

91-GS · Jun 15, 2016

Check all of the wires coming to/from battery and alternator. Check all grounds as well. Make sure no insulation is damaged and all screws/clamps/connectors are clean and tight.

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