Charging system.

[iwannarun11s]

My Battery does not receive a charge... i have replaced the battery and the alternator, and still i have to charge it everynight... a mechanic suggested that it may be the voltage regulator malfunctioning.. also very low on funds, any suggestions? PLEASE HELP.

 

[steve]

Have you checked the 80A alternator fuse?

Steve

 

[iwannarun11s]

thanks for the response but yeah, u mean the 100A fuse in the fuse box in the engine bay, yes it seems to be fine.. any other suggestions?

 

[maynard]

Are your battery terminals clean and tight ?

 

[iwannarun11s]

i dont think its the terminals, they are pretty tight and relatively clean, but ill clean em up.. but if my car can charge with a trickle charger then how would that be the problem?

what about the Voltage regulator?

 

[steve]

You mean the 100A fuse in the fuse box in the engine bay, yes it seems to be fine.

Sorry, Canadian car so it would be 100A. If you have checked it with an ohm meter and made sure the plug to the S and L terminals is plugged in then it might be the regulator in the alternator. Was it a "new" alternator?

Steve

 

[badfishfry]

start off by inspecting drive belt condition and tension to be sure that it is not slipping
( usually audible when slipping ). inspect connections to alternator ( clean, tight,and in good condition ). the regulator is internal to the alternator. also inspect battery terminals connection to the harnesses ( both ground and positive ) where they are attached. inspect ground wire connection to bulk head ( fire wall )and transmission bell housing
( clean, tight, and in good condition ). also inspect the fusible link Steve referred to closely for corrosion and hair line cracks. sometimes these things will break do to age without opening the strip. also there is another fusible link in the under hood fuse block tied to the voltage regulator circuit, fusible link #4 ( but i do not know the size ) and last but not least check the fuse for the charge indicator. it is located in the under dash fuse block
( this fuse is good if the check eng light and alt light, light up when the key is turned on ) if all else fails measure charging system output at battery using a voltmeter.

hope this helps

 

[iwannarun11s]

i just checked the battery light in the dash that i was told connects the circuit.. the battery light does not come on when the car is in the 'on' position.. but i was also told to check the relay for the alt. im not quite sure what u meant by the "s and L" terminals, and yes, it was a fully rebuilt 'champion' alternator. bought from canadian tire. but the voltage regulator is built into the alternator and if its new how would there be a problem.. i tested the alt with an ohm meter and its putting out 14v while running... i dont know what else to try?

 

[steve]

Also there is another fusible link in the under hood fuse block tied to the voltage regulator circuit, fusible link #4 ( but i do not know the size )

Pink 30A

Good list of stuff to check.

Steve

 

[steve]

i tested the alt with an ohm meter and its putting out 14v while running.

Where did you measure the 14v?

Steve

 

[iwannarun11s]

positive output from alternator @ the alternator. and grounded to negative batt. terminal. was reading 14v,.. is that correct?

 

[steve]

Sounds good if it was at the B+ stud. What do you have at the battery?
Check at both sides of the alternator fuse. Then you'll know if the wire is bad or the fuse is popped.
Also make sure that the charging lead is still bolted to the positive battery terminal.
The manual says Canadian cars have a single Black with Red stripe and USDM cars have two White wires from the alternator fuse to the battery but I have a single Black w/Red in mine bolted between the battery main fusible link holder and the terminal.

Steve

 

[iwannarun11s]

fuse is fine.. alternator positive output is putting off 15.8v roughly.. but my car is still dying.. i dont understand what the problem could be.. the alternator seems to just not be giving my batter any power.. the fuses seem fine, i checked the wires.. WTF

 

[steve]

I can't offer anything more until you check the wire from the alternator through the fuse and to the battery positive terminal. That's why I asked you to measure the voltages before the fuse, after it and at the battery.

Steve

 

[iwannarun11s]

how much power exactly should my car be receiving from the alternator ?

am running an entire aftermarket stero
+ 600 watts RMS to amp
+ 200 watts to deck