2G Charging system problems

[97-eclipseGST]

Hello everyone, I own a 97 eclipse gst. After driving for about 45 minutes to an hr, my battery dies. The time i can drive is dependent on whether my A/C and lights are on. I just replaced the alternator before Christmas but have been sold a defective alternator so I had it tested in the car as well as being bench tested twice (at different places). The alternator was good as well as the battery. So, there must be a bad relay or connection. I do believe I've found my culprit but would like some opinions. A pic is attached of the alternator connector which seems to bein very bad shape. I tried electrical tape and no luck. I'm headed to the junkyard to try and find one in better condition. my main question is whether this connecter would inhibit the alternator from charging the battery? Let me know your thoughts. I have more pictures of the piece if it helps I can repost them later.

 

[2gnt99]

Is this the the same connector?
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/151542316-post47.html

Even if it isn't the problem it will be good to replace it. You can find replacement connectors on RockAuto.

 

[Isaiah3024]

Same thing happened to me when I first got my gst. Battery just kept dying. I replaced the alternator twice and got my alt. and battery tested about three different times and kept reading everything was good. But it kept happening.
It ended up being a short in my charging system. One of the wires connecting the battery to the alt. was shorted out, so the battery wasn't charging.
I would say to replace that piece you have there anyways, it looks pretty worn out. Also check your ground wires to your battery and your alt. Mine were all chewed up.

 

[crash89]

When you turn your key on to "acc" does your battery light come on? I only ask because I had a similar issue after I did my wire tuck and couldnt figure out why I wasnt charging. Brand new alt and STM battery and kept losing voltage. Turns out it was my "generator relay" some people call it an alternator relay but its really called a generator relay. Its a small black box next to your boost control solenoid on the passenger side of the engine bay just below the fuse box. You might have to take your intake cone out to see it.

Buy a new connector and check your grounds, and if you still are having this issue take a look into this!

 

[allthrottle]

You need to fix that wiring, then let it idle and check charging output at the battery with a multimeter. I've spent days diagnosing poor charging system output that turned out to be a bad wiring connection or blown alt. fuse.

 

[97-eclipseGST]

So after over two hours looking through a huge junkyard, I finally found the connector I needed. When I went to check out, I asked the cashier how much I owed him. He waived and told me to have a good day which was pretty cool. Attached is a photo of the one I pulled from the junkyard which is in much better condition than my previous connector. Going to put it in soon and then going to check my charging system.

To 2gnt99: that is exactly the part I was looking for. I clicked on the hyperlink and I'm confused by the last diagram (the one with four boxes that reads W R L G) . Could anyone explain that to me?

 

[allthrottle]

Click the link at the top right of that page to get to the main thread for more info and more connector diagrams.

B = Black
Lg = Light green
Sb = Sky blue
V = Violet
O = Orange
Y = Yellow
Br = Brown
G = Green
Gr = Gray
L = Blue
P = Pink
R = Red
W = White

 

[97-eclipseGST]

Still not pushing enough voltage to charge the battery. I'm planning on cleaning the pulleys and tightening up the alternator belt. Someone earlier told me to check my grounds so ill also do that. Does anyone have any other thoughts?

 

[allthrottle]

For grounds, just make sure you have a good metal to metal contact from the transmission to frame, intake manifold to frame, battery to frame. You can't have these bolted to a painted surface; the bolt alone may not provide sufficient ground area.

Also, make sure the heavier gauge wire(s) from the alt to the battery have good continuity, and have no obvious cuts or splices.

 

[T is for TURBO]

When you turn your key on to "acc" does your battery light come on? I only ask because I had a similar issue after I did my wire tuck and couldnt figure out why I wasnt charging. Brand new alt and STM battery and kept losing voltage. Turns out it was my "generator relay" some people call it an alternator relay but its really called a generator relay. Its a small black box next to your boost control solenoid on the passenger side of the engine bay just below the fuse box. You might have to take your intake cone out to see it.

Buy a new connector and check your grounds, and if you still are having this issue take a look into this!

I'm going to agree with this one. I was helping someone one with similar problem. Alternator was good, but he could only drive it for so long before the battery would die. One way to bypass the generator relay is; once the car is started, rev the engine to about 2.5-3k RPM, this will "kick start" the voltage regulator, and the car should start charging on it's own.

EDIT: In order for the above to work, you have to disconnect the plug going into the alternator.

Also, to expand on what Crash was saying, the generator "relay" (though it's not really a relay) serves as a back up to the "Low voltage" dummy light to excite the voltage regulator.

One of the alternator pins must have positive voltage for the alternator to work. This voltage is normally provided through the charge warning light. But if the bulb is not working, it will get the positive voltage from the generator relay. So if both are not working, the charging system won't charge... Unless of course, like I said above, you pull the plug, and rev it to 2.5-3k RPM this will get the system to start charging.

 

[97-eclipseGST]

My battery light does not come on when the key is in acc position. After driving for a while my check engine light comes on and then once my battery voltage drops below a second point then my battery light comes on. It feels like my alternator belt is a little on the loose side. How much wiggle room should the belt have?

I cleaned the pulleys and belts and also checked all my grounds. The ground from the battery to the frame was loose. And now I'm getting 14.15 volts loaded, so problem solved. Thank you all for the help!

 

[Yaeger28]

I have had this exact same problem for awhile. I have taken it to the shop and a few times and even they are having a hard time figuring it out. They said I got good wires, connections and ground. I have gone thru 3 alts and 4 batteries. Also ever since I've had the car when I first start it up I'm running on battery power. I rev it up to about 4 grand then my alt kicks in. I got a 2nd opinion from a different shop and they said I should upgrade to an oem alt.