Electrical Issue

[JStoops]

Just finished my project up, started first try and runs like a champ. However, the alternator had gotten PS fluid dripped on it, and I was having trouble with the battery dieing, so I replaced it with a new 90AMP from ebay.

Put the new alt in, bolted it all up, double checked the alt fuse under the hood, looked fine (don't know how to check relays so I left that be) and got a jump and drove the car around for a bit.

Same symptoms as before, car starts fine after a jump, battery and ebrake lights are on the dash. The car's idle eventually started surging like it was low on gas, I killed the motor because it was surging and it definitely felt like it was gunna die.

While i was driving the car, the interior lights wouldn't work, the windows don't work and neither do the pop-up headlights (unsure if those work anyways cause the shell had been sitting for a few years and I didn't have the car when it first ran). The turn signals wouldn't work but the reverse indicators did work.

How do I check the alternator relay? The battery is brand new JMF small battery kit, I tested the new alternator at Autozone before I put it in (passed obv). What could it be? relay? Replace fuse just to be safe?

Also, how many pos/neg cables should be connected to the battery for a stock car? I have 2 pos and 2 neg connections to the battery

 

[SrKegler]

There's 3 connections on the positive post.

 

[96eclipzGsT]

Check all your grounds. Make sure you have the charge wire on the correct stud on the back of the alt.

 

[JStoops]

on a 1990 as well? i know they have different electrical connections. But i have the one from the starter, and the one with the fuse block on it...

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

Make sure the power feed wire is connected to the right bolt on the back of the alternator and check the other plug going into the alternator. I had a hard time with my 160 alternator and I put a separate ground on it to the body and that helped.

 

[JStoops]

When I installed the alternator, there were only 2 connections, the plug and a wire that only had one place to bolt down.. any pics?

 

[RMawddsm]

I'll try to grab a pic when I get home, but from what I've noticed is that the replacement DSM alternators are crap, they MIGHT work for a short time, then you have to go in and replace them. After doing this a couple times I just went out and got a junk yard alternator for $40 and its still running my car (but much like dwindling planetary resources these are going to become a rare find soon)

 

[RMawddsm]

Ok, it looks like there's 3 connections (the alternator I have is out of a 90) 1 should be a plug harness, the other 2 should be one positive to charge the battery and run the car and the other should be a small negative. I'll upload the pic as soon as I find my card reader.

 

[JStoops]

that would be MUCH appreciated as i definately only have 2 wires going to my alt.

 

[JStoops]

any luck finding that card reader?

 

[RMawddsm]

Found the card reader, trying to find the mini-usb cable now Girlfriend is on the hunt for it now.

 

[Falcon305]

I'm having similar issues on my 2g as well and I even have an unanswered thread about it right here. After completing my turbo swapping project last week, everything seemed fine. That is until this same electrical problem (except that my lights don't flip of course ) started coming back. Oddly enough as it sounds, my idle was surging up and down just like yours. Plus the problem happened when my original alternator started going bad too. Then I got a new alternator a few months ago and this problem is starting to come back. I took my alternator to get a power check recently and it's providing a "perfect" charge at optimum performance.

Hmmm..... Definitely weird...

 

[JStoops]

any luck finding that cable? i'll be working on the DSM today and really need to get this done!
thanks