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gordonitis
Novice
Aug 20, 2010, 7:20 PM
Post #1 of 11
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Alternator not charging
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2001 Chevy Silverado 1500 4WD auto 5.3 V8 loaded.
I replaced what I thought was a dead alternator with a brand new one. The parts house was not able to test the old one as their tester had a bad harness. The plug was bad. He said my plug could be bad too. After changing the alternator the volt meter indicated 9+ volts the same as before replacement. Could the plug really be bad, it looks OK? The problem came on suddenly. It was fine all day and then upon start up it was bad. Battery? It starts without a problem. Thanks for any help guys and/or gals. gotta keep the pc police happy
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 20, 2010, 7:47 PM
Post #2 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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Check for power at the main terminal of the alternator with the key off. If you have no power, then you likely have a burnt out fusible link.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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gordonitis
Novice
Aug 20, 2010, 7:56 PM
Post #3 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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Thanks for replying. Would it even start with the fusible link burned out? How do you tell if it is burned out?
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Sidom
Veteran
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Aug 20, 2010, 10:10 PM
Post #4 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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What was the results when you tested the main terminal on the alt for power with the key off?
12v?
0v?
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gordonitis
Novice
Aug 20, 2010, 10:26 PM
Post #5 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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12 V
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 21, 2010, 4:33 AM
Post #6 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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Then the fuse is good.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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gordonitis
Novice
Aug 21, 2010, 9:44 AM
Post #7 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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The wire goes directly to the battery via a power distribution block in the engine comp. It's in a red plastic box. I think the voltage would always be battery voltage no matter what else was wrong. The only other wires are two small ones at the plug (brown and white) they go into the harness and disappear.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 21, 2010, 9:48 AM
Post #8 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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No, part of that wire is fusible link and when burnt out, interrupts the circuit so I hope you tested it at the alternator end as instructed.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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gordonitis
Novice
Aug 21, 2010, 10:04 AM
Post #9 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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Yes I checked it at the stud on the alternator and to ground at the alternator mount. Could it be the voltage regulator. If so is it in the alternator or the computer. Thanks for your input so far.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 21, 2010, 11:33 AM
Post #10 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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To this point nobody has tested the charging system in the car. Use a digital voltmeter across the battery at idle with no accessories on.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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gordonitis
Novice
Aug 22, 2010, 12:05 AM
Post #11 of 11
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Re: Alternator not charging
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I found the problem. As usual it was the simplest thing. I was hooking up the alternator after reinstalling it for the third time. I checked voltage across the battery, from battery to ground, and at the wire from the distribution block to the alternator. All had battery voltage. But before I hooked up that wire it touched the dist mount and nothing happened. I thought that was strange since it had battery voltage. It should have welded itself to the mount. So I fiddled around and discovered the nut in the block was lose. Dammit. All that work and the whole problem was just two lose nuts. That one and me. Thanks for all your time and input. Keep that in mind the next time you hear of a problem like mine. I think it's weird that it came up so suddenly though.
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