Electrical Problem?

[OpelTSi]

Last week I got a jump on my car, but the cables got crossed on the other vehicle, and smoke came off my alternator and battery posts. So i changed them back after I noticed it about 2 min later, and then I jumped my car and shortly after driving I lost power to everything and the car shut off. So I replaced the battery (was at 0 cold crank anyways) and this seemed to fix my problem, but later that night my lights went dim but the car still ran (battery read 11 volts). my battery is at 8 volts so I pulled the alternator off, and the alternator tested fine at a local shop that only works on alternators. Im scratching my head over this, Ive checked all my fuses, and disconnected my amp, but whenever I jump the car it runs on its own for about 1.5 mins and then just dies. I even pulled all the fuses from inside the car and jumped it but still same thing. Should I start checking every wire for a short, or replace my solenoid? This 1G is really starting to get on my nerves .

So with all the fuses inside the car, and my radio pulled out, I start with 8 volts, and after I engage the key I only have around 4 volts, is it normal to lose that much voltage?

 

[phantom_19]

To me....it sounds like the engine is running on battery power instead of alternator. But you said they checked that for you. So now im scratching my head too..It must have affected the charging capability of the alternator. It should read around 13-14V when idling

 

[miguelmcv]

Check the voltage on the alternator charging wire with the engine running.

Check your ground connections, Clean them all out.

Check the voltage on the alternator wire (alternator side) and then check the voltage on the same wire, but on the battery side, (On the Fuse Box) It has to read the same Voltage, If it doesn't then your alternator wire is fried.

If it gives you the same voltage, then check the same line from the fuse box (Alternator wire) to the battery, It has to give you the same voltage.

Some times the alternator fuse is not good and don't notice until you pull it out.

Check all that and let us know what you find.

 

[OpelTSi]

Okay so I thew the alternator back in and made sure the belt is tight, started my car up and it ran in park for almost 3 minutes, was to dark for me to do all the electrical testing last night, but my battery was at 3.9 volts, and now its at 2.2.
I hooked my meter up to the the - post and tested the voltage to the 80 amp fuse output (read 2.2) and tested the cable that is connected by the nut (read 2.2), the 80 amp fuse isnt blown. Checked my grounds and they tested good. For the wiring to the alt which wire do what? I cant find a diagram in my repair book.
Also where can I find the solenoid? I hate the book , you have to look all over the place to find what you want.

 

[95GSTowner]

It's gotta be alternator or wiring to it.

 

[OpelTSi]

It's gotta be alternator or wiring to it.

Yeah I separated the cables for the + terminal, and i have continuity through the Alt cable to the 2 white wires (has the circle post on end) that get connected by the bolt, and I also have continuity to one of the wires in the plug connection, and they arent grounding. Now im curious on what the other wire in the plug connection is supposed to do (ive tried it with ground, negative terminal, and positive, but I get nothing). im taking my battery to autozone so they can test and charge it, so hopefully I can start figuring out what my problem is :\

 

[jmc1590]

It sounds like the same problems I went through with my '91. (In my case, it ended up being the alternator.) But in the process, I learned a ton about the charging system.

1st thing: Get a copy of the 1G manual here - http://www.dsmtuners....download-1g-service-manuals.html Pages 8-145 thru 8-147 have the alternator tests and circuit diagram. The listed tests will help identify and troubleshoot the charging system.

The charging system is really basic. As long as current is available to the alternator field (Lines S & L, the two position plug), the alternator will generate current. If the internal regulator is not blown. (Mine was. Didn't throw battery lights on the cluster. Just didn't make any juice!)

Hope this helps.

James

 

[OpelTSi]

It sounds like the same problems I went through with my '91. (In my case, it ended up being the alternator.) But in the process, I learned a ton about the charging system.

1st thing: Get a copy of the 1G manual here - http://www.dsmtuners....download-1g-service-manuals.html Pages 8-145 thru 8-147 have the alternator tests and circuit diagram. The listed tests will help identify and troubleshoot the charging system.

The charging system is really basic. As long as current is available to the alternator field (Lines S & L, the two position plug), the alternator will generate current. If the internal regulator is not blown. (Mine was. Didn't throw battery lights on the cluster. Just didn't make any juice!)

Hope this helps.

James

Thanks, im going to look through the manual right now.
Yeah I never paid attention to a battery light, so once I slap the battery back in im going to look for it .
Hopefully its not my alternator, already put 7k in this money pit.

 

[miguelmcv]

Alternator Relay is on the fuse box, on the driver side (Hood).

Here is a link for your car Manual.


http://www.stealth316.com/misc/dsm_tech_manual.pdf


I hope it helps.

Here is a Pic of the Relay Location.

Sorry, It is tooooo big to put it in here, But you can look at page
65 (8-16).

 

[OpelTSi]

Alternator Relay is on the fuse box, on the driver side (Hood).

Here is a link for your car Manual.


http://www.stealth316.com/misc/dsm_tech_manual.pdf


I hope it helps.

Here is a Pic of the Relay Location.

Sorry, It is tooooo big to put it in here, But you can look at page
65 (8-16).

So I pulled out my Alt relay, and im not getting any continuity on the prongs there is 3 prongs (but only 2 can be connected due to only two wires in the relay spot). Now when I shake the relay I can hear stuff moving inside, im assuming I should replace.

 

[dsmtunz]

sounds like its running just off the battery you should see if the alt is chargering the system

 

[OpelTSi]

sounds like its running just off the battery you should see if the alt is chargering the system

I just tossed in the battery after having it charged, its at 12.51 volts right now, after starting my car it just boggles up about .03 volts, but it doesnt drop lower than the starting voltage.
When my key is in the on position around my ecu I can hear a clicking sound, is this something I should take a further look into?
Im going to let the car sit and see if the battery slowly drains.

 

[Palmetto_TSi]

you fried the diodes in the alternator. The alternator is no longer making DC voltage and charging the battery.

 

[Palmetto_TSi]

I just tossed in the battery after having it charged, its at 12.51 volts right now, after starting my car it just boggles up about .03 volts, but it doesnt drop lower than the starting voltage.
When my key is in the on position around my ecu I can hear a clicking sound, is this something I should take a further look into?
Im going to let the car sit and see if the battery slowly drains.

When the car is running, the alternator should put out between 13.5 and 14.1 volts. This makes enough power to run all the electrical components and charge the battery.

If you turn your lights, radio, a/c and wipers on, you will see the 12.5 volts drop really quickly. The smoke you saw was the magic smoke being released from the diodes in the rectifier portion of the alternator. You need a new alternator.

Don't take our word though, take it to advance or auto zone and let them test it. It's free...