Saturn alternator problem?

[mattsGSTeclipse]

So this winter I swapped to a 160 amp saturn alternator using a jays racing relocation kit on my 2g GST. Now when at idle the car is reading only 11 volts from my turbo timer and a volts gauge wired into the car. This doesn't seem right to me. I'm also using an optima battery that was relocated to the trunk at the same time. Anyone have any ideas??

 

[ba109296]

why use a saturn alternator and why did you use a jays racing relocation kit, ant it easyer to replace it in the frunt and not the back???

Because the saturn alternator is better. It puts out constant volts when the stocker will let you down. Usually it's only used with those cars that are higher HP but it can be utilized for just about anyone.
Also people use the jay racing kit because it gets the alternator out of the heat that comes from down pipes..


To the OP, get a volt ohm meter and use it to check the voltage from the alt and also at the battery. It could be the device your using is just not accurate.

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

How do I go about checking the alternator and battery with the ohms meter? I have a multimeter, but I've never used it.

Today when I went to start it, the car started hard and was around 10 volts. I shut the car off and then I couldn't start it again without jumping the battery. When I did this the volts were in the high 12s, when I removed the jumper cables it dropped down to mid 10s.

Anyone have a how to on the wiring for the saturn alternator? I'm thinking I may have wired it wrong.

 

[Littlebeeper]

i'm thinking the thing just took a vacation on you. to test with a multimeter set it to the 200 seting for dc volts. the meter will show 00.0 volts. touch + and - to appropriate terminals on the battery. you will probably read the 10 or so volts shown on your volt guage and turbo timer. jump the car. when it starts do the same at the battery. your volts should be at 13 volts minimum up to mid 14's (by the way, remove the jumper cables.)
to test the alternator in case the charge wire is bad, touch + of the meter to the fat wire going to the back of the alternator (covered with a red plastic cover if it was reinstalled) and the - terminal to a good ground anywhere on the car. you should read around 14 volts. if its bad you will only read 10 or so volts of your dying battery. BE CAREFUL WITH HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS, SPINING BELTS, AND THE DAMN FANS AS THEY MAY TURN ON IF YOUR CAR GETS HOT ENOUGH, or if you keep the ac on

 

[munk]

he did the relocation because he has done a sick wire tuck on the car but i dunno how to fix that problem bub. btw grocery clerks do it better

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

I got a bad reading at the alternator. Should I upgrade the wire to 4 gauge? or is something else the problem?

 

[gixrman]

I got a bad reading at the alternator. Should I upgrade the wire to 4 gauge? or is something else the problem?

You should have upgraded the wire to start. Do you have a system thats drawing alot of amps? I'm guessing you chose the 160amp alt. becuase you needed the extra power. I would start by checking all wire connections, grounds, fried wires. Is this a self exicting alt? How did you wire it up?

 

[Defiant]

Sounds like the alternator died, same as any other.

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

Sounds like the alternator died, same as any other.

The alternator is brand new though.

 

[UnsafeAtAnySpd]

The alternator is brand new though.

Most any autoparts store can test it for you and since it's new it should be under warranty and you can get a new one. I've got a couple bad alts for my Blazer in the past. It's a pain.

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

This is how I wired the alternator:

car harness side: Alternator side:
black w/yellow stripe - Black
Crankshaft sensor red wire - Red
none - Brown

I plan on picking up some 4 gauge wire today to upgrade the main wire.

 

[munk]

You can get a bad alt from the store it does happen

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

Hopefully its not the alternator. Can anyone verify my wiring is correct? I wanna make sure its ok before pulling the alternator.

I installed the 4 gauge power wire today, I haven't tried it yet, but I will soon.

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

Pulled the alternator and had it tested, unfortunately it is bad. Now I have to send it back and wait for a new one


Still wondering about my wiring, can anyone verify it?

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

Found the real problem and I was right! I just got off the phone with a rep from motor city reman(the company I got the alternator from) and the wiring from our cars and the saturn alternators don't like to play nice. He's converting mine right now to a 1-wire setup. He knew what it was right off the bat, he said over 10 people have had the same issue.

 

[munk]

im glad you found a fix

 

[mattsGSTeclipse]

So I got back the alternator from being converted to a 1- wire alternator and I still have the same problem. I ran a 4 gauge power wire from the alternator to my battery in the trunk and I have the same issue.

 

[seminoles2005]

Did you ever figure out how to get the alternator to charge correctly? I have the same issue with my alternator from motor city reman. and the guy told me i need the one wire hook up? Not sure what that is.

 

[falcon8r]

Did you ever figure out how to get the alternator to charge correctly? I have the same issue with my alternator from motor city reman. and the guy told me i need the one wire hook up? Not sure what that is.

The one wire alt. is a GM style that is utilized by tons of hot rods of all shapes. You simply hook a wire form the alt. to the bat. pos.+ terminal. Very simple. It does require a relay if used with a bat. cut out switch for drag racing. Tres...

 

[seminoles2005]

Does the "L" wire on the saturn alternator plug have to have between 35-350 ohms or resistance to turn the alternator on correctly? How would you go about testing to see if you are having enough?

I put my volt meter in the wire and put the key to the on position but it still read 0 ohms but for some reason it had 10.14 volts to it. This was with the car off though and i think my battery is getting weak because its not getting a charge.