charging issue.

[bradyc]

It started with the coolant, brake and battery light being faintly on, so i got a new battery. its a gold top and more then powerful enough for the car. this didn't solve the light issue but i didn't mind it much as it ran fine. however, eventually it started having problems. the car will run fine for a while right off the wall charger but it starts having the following symptoms.
first the radio head-unit will shut off when i hit the brake
second the headlights will dim quite a bit.
Third the car starts suffering in performance, especially in acceleration
then it gets to the point where the car cant even keep running with the lights on.
if im still attempting to drive, the car will only be able to drive in first. at a whole 10 mph if im letting the clutch slip a bit.
so i charged the battery full today and got a new alternator at napa auto parts, replaced it and took it on a drive. shortly after, the symptoms began until i was left stranded.

so what am i looking at? bad battery, defective alternator, voltage regulator??
let me know what you thing please!!
thanks!

 

[kaganader]

Bad Alternator, the Voltage regulator is on its way out or is dead. Replace Alternator.
This archive describes your problem... and my problem.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...55-alternator-issues-brake-battery-light.html

Try the Saturn Alt swap, I ordered mine to replace the oem alternator.

91-97 SC/SL Series 1.9L

The Swap information
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-electrical-wiring/272646-saturn-alternator-swap.html

 

[DSM1G90]

Yep, bad alternator.... bet it's not even putting out 11 VDC when you touch the battery's connections with a VOM while in idle. It supposed to be 13.8 to 14.3 VDC with car on idle.

NOW, if you do change out the ALT and still have charging problems, the 100A main fuse has prob opened up and these are bolted in on each side with 10mm bolts to change out (Head to Barger-Mattsons, or Dillions and see if you can walk the yards to pull fuses from busted up DSM's) - they're not a plug-in fuse as with the rest of them.

Good luck - DSM

 

[bradyc]

Yep, bad alternator.... bet it's not even putting out 11 VDC when you touch the battery's connections with a VOM while in idle. It supposed to be 13.8 to 14.3 VDC with car on idle.

NOW, if you do change out the ALT and still have charging problems, the 100A main fuse has prob opened up and these are bolted in on each side with 10mm bolts to change out (Head to Barger-Mattsons, or Dillions and see if you can walk the yards to pull fuses from busted up DSM's) - they're not a plug-in fuse as with the rest of them.

Good luck - DSM

Ended up being the fuse, thanks! you go to that barger in nampa often?