charging system question relating to battery cable

[cadilacmike]

Quick newbie question. Will a slice in the negative battery cable, (not the wire itself) cause charging problems? The wire is showing but its not frayed or cut into, its just the insulation cable. If so should i replace the cable or will electrical tape do?

 

[Doubleot]

Just replace it, they are like a few bucks at most.

 

[cadilacmike]

Sounds like a good idea, thanks

 

[DSM1G90]

I'd wrap it nice and tight with electircal tape, but a changeout wouldn't hurt either.

But, if you got a charging problem, a new battery would be in store .... immediately, otherwise you'll blow the alternator soon afterwards.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Electrical tape will be fine as long as the wire is intact.

 

[NHerron]

How about a voltage drop test to see if the cable should be replaced or not. The positive cable(actually cable) coming off the alternator drops 0.5V so it might be a good idea to check.

Is it the one bolted to the bellhousing or the one bolted to the firewall.

 

[cadilacmike]

Well this is my 2nd new battery, new alternator, new alternator relay, and new 100 amp alt fuse. I found some corroded wires I replaced yesterday, still no charging. I've read something about the battery warning light has to be working to complete the cycle on these cars, when i turn my key on no light, so is that the direction I need to look now. Just some FYI I'm new this is my first dsm, 1998 eclipse gst just picked up a couple months ago. Thanks for the help guys.



Update: I re-checked at my alt. it was charging at 14.44, checked at battery it was 14.3ish, took it for a test drive drove good except for the hesitation on take off (another problem unfixed) come back and check at my alt it was only putting out 12 volts, battery was also down to 12.02 so something must be moving around loosing connection just don't know what.

Well replaced alternator again and fixed some more corroded wires at the alternator, works like new. Guess you can never trust new alternators.

 

[randaddydsm]

im having a similer problem. new bat. new alt. new fuseable link still no charge. no low voltage light either. but link says it goes as low as 7.6 volts. milights dim. when i remove a post from the bat it still runs but bairly. wtf am i missing???

 

[NHerron]

First, it's a bad idea nowadays to disconnect battery while engine running, it's called voltage spike.

What is your voltage at the alternator output terminal.

 

[luv2rallye]

im having a similer problem. new bat. new alt. new fuseable link still no charge. no low voltage light either. but link says it goes as low as 7.6 volts. milights dim. when i remove a post from the bat it still runs but bairly. wtf am i missing???

The dash battery charge light must be working (or the generator relay (which is not really a relay)) to enable the alternator to work. Check the bulb.

 

[cadilacmike]

Try another alternator, maybe you had a small spark when hooking new one back, thats all it take for the diodes to act up.