Low Voltage - 10.8 to 11 volts *Repaired Alt. Wire*

[GSXeclipsePSI]

Ok,

Started having some electrical problems with my car. I started to notice my voltage on my SAFC-2 was jumping up and down from 13.* to something 11.2* so I started looking for problems cause I remember 13-14. So I found the wire to be alittle toasted at the alternator so I stripped the wire to the softer wire, and put new end on.

So now I guess I find the real voltage haha... 11.3 to start off with charged battery. Then I turned on all acc. and now I have a base of 10.8 and my TurboTimer flipping out and setting the warning off.

So did I fix a problem to find the real problem? or what?

Someone let me know whats going on.

The car just turned 115k yesterday. I have low power out, the EBC wont boost the right amount cause of the power problems. Im sure the AFC aint working or w.e. for that matter.

If someone with a good input could respond and explain this problem more in deal. I'm studying to be a Auto Repair Tech and would like to understand it more. Thanks


The voltage at the batter when charged was 15.04 volts

The voltage at the alternator when battery was charged was 14.6 bouncing.

Ran car, did tests-----------------------------------

Voltage at Battery 14.6
Voltage at Alt. 14-10
-------------------------------------------------------------

While whole car is off, battery 14.6
Alt while car is off, 14-10


Other conditions:
When starting car, sometimes nothing happens with the starter, just a click, turn the key 3 or 4 times, starter turns on and starts!
When cold, I have gotten a faint battery light!
Car has stuttered a few times when cold at low RPM driving, like it turn ign off and back on again.
Boost controller wont go past 22lbs, I'm at 88 on the ProfecII for boost setting.

 

[eagle_talon90]

You may have a shorted or corroded wire going from the battery to the starter. Check the power wire and your ground wires make sure they aren't shorted anywhere or corroded or anything and make sure you have a good ground. It could also be the battery itself is toast, if you have a hydrometer you can test it the specific gravity of the electrolyte in the battery. If i remember right the S.G. (specific gravity) of electrolyte on a good, charged battery at 80*F should be 1.265, if it's around 1.230 recharge the battery and if its any lower the battery needs to be replaced. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[GSXeclipsePSI]

so do you not think the alternator is the problem? or just the battery. The battery has died a few times. I dont have a hydrometer. I put the battery on the charger I have and the battery took a 4-6amp charge for a whole day.

The next day it was still in the 2 range.

The car starts perfect when the battery is charged. Starts quick. But right now my voltage is 14.6 at the battery is that normal with the car off.

Also why does my voltmeter read -14.6 volts.


Fixed my grounds they all look good and the wires look good.

 

[eagle_talon90]

Here's a test you can do to check the alternator just to rule that out if you want.
First, start the car and run at a normal idle. Then connect a voltmeter directly across the battery terminals. Turn on your lights to high beam. Check the battery Voltage. It should read between about 13.8 to 14.2 volts. (Maybe up to 14.5 Volts.) Increase idle speed to about 1500 rpm. The alternator should now produce a battery voltage between 14.2 and 14.6 volts. If it is lower than 14.2 volts, the alternator probably has a couple bad diodes in it. Now keep the idle at 1500 rpm and turn off the high beams. Do this for one minute. The battery voltage should never exceed 14.8 Volts. If it does, the alternators voltage regulator is probably faulty, caused from overcharging the battery.

If the alternator tests fine, I would say its most likely the batteries toast. I dont know exactly what the battery voltage should be at with the car off but 14.6 seems a little high, I think around 13V should be where it sits.

 

[GSXeclipsePSI]

well my boy came by and we decided to just pull the positive see if the car still ran. The car turned off so I'm gonna guess to just replace the alternator.

Is this a good enough of a test or not a accurate test of a bad alternator. I just don't have another car or friends that have cars so with no whip I can't go anywhere. I have to order my alternator over the Internet. My girl has work thats about all we can manage for a ride to anywhere.

 

[GSXeclipsePSI]

ok, after fixing that wire and taking it for a ride...

I got home via a tow truck so its easy to figure out what happened.