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Charging system help


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olefish
Novice

Feb 27, 2018, 11:26 AM

Post #1 of 10 (1838 views)
Charging system help Sign In



Year of vehicle 1999
Make of vehicle Isuzu
Model of vehicle Amigo
Engine size 3.2
Mileage 178000
I have a very strange issue? I have replaced the battery, battery post connections, alternator, and alternator connection plug. I have also cleaned all connection wires and ground wire locations. When I first got done I did not have and charging volts at the battery. I disconnected negative lead on the battery and checked all connections. After reconnecting the battery I have 14.4 volts charging. I drove the car around and parked it and the next day no charging again. I did not work on it for a week due to extreme cold temps. It started right up and when when I went back through everything I could not get it to charge again. I when I quit to go read all I could, I had left the ground unconnected from the battery. After hooking it back up I still had nothing. I pulled it out of the shop and parked it. I started it back up and what the heck the battery and brake light were off. I drove it around the block and started and turned off a few times and it still worked fine with 14.4 charging volts. So I go to take it for a drive the next day and again not charging again… I am at a total loss please help.. Thanks for any ideas.
(edit - typo in subject line)


(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 28, 2018, 10:04 AM)


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Feb 27, 2018, 11:39 AM

Post #2 of 10 (1830 views)
Re: Carging system help Sign In

Using a multimeter connected to the battery negative what are the voltages at the alternator connector on the green/yellow, white/blue, alternator lug and alternator case while the engine is running and there is no charging happening?

You have to back probe the alternator connector. Don't disconnect it and take measurements. You want to measure the voltage drop, so measure the voltages on the wires with everything plugged in.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Feb 27, 2018, 11:40 AM)


olefish
Novice

Feb 27, 2018, 12:12 PM

Post #3 of 10 (1818 views)
Re: Carging system help Sign In

OK The wires on the alternator plug is white/blue and the other one is green. So when you say back probe, I am unsure what you mean sorry?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Feb 27, 2018, 12:20 PM

Post #4 of 10 (1816 views)
Re: Carging system help Sign In

Just to define what DS meant "backprobing" is a way to read info as needed of a wired plug from the back as with a "T" pin or very pointed test probe with it still plugged in, Tom


olefish
Novice

Feb 27, 2018, 2:00 PM

Post #5 of 10 (1809 views)
Re: Carging system help Sign In

Sorry one more? I am new to using the digital volt multimeter. I have been setting it on the 12 volt setting is that the correct one?


olefish
Novice

Feb 27, 2018, 3:07 PM

Post #6 of 10 (1802 views)
Re: Carging system help Sign In

ok the top wire white/blue stripe tested .58 set on 12 volt and the green wire bottom tested -.00 then when pushing the probe in it clicked and then generator started working. The plug is brand new and looks good so it may be the spade end on the new generator. I shut it off and pulled the plug and everything looks good. I pugged I back in and the generator is putting out 14.4 again.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Feb 27, 2018, 3:26 PM

Post #7 of 10 (1799 views)
Re: Carging system help Sign In

Learn your DVOM (digital volt ohm meter) with instructions that came with it. I was leaving this to DS = nickname for Discretesignals but will just add that while running an alternator should be putting out "about 13.5 volts up to close to 15 volts depending on how hard it's working but not way too low or high so you are fine your problem is not right where you checked. In low tech terms think of voltage as the pressure and amps is the volume. Oms are resistance either a flaw or intended for assorted things. Think of that like water flowing thru a garden hose if you wish it has pressure is voltage, volume like how fast it can fill a known container is AMPs and Oms are somewhat like you are stepping on that hose on purpose to slow it all down! Odd way to describe it but is sort of like that.


Leave this thread to DS there's a problem to find. One more you did mention the spade terminal. Clean those with what works, wire brush, sandpaper and a smear of electric grease or Silicone grease. If the connection of a male spade to the female isn't tight enough you can pinch some female ends or slight twist on male ends they make a full connection you DVOM would see that it worked. Jeez - sorry - a novel again like ever bend the male end of a vacuum cleaner plug (household that you keep moving around and wear out) so it both stay put and makes a connection? Like that anyway but that too means fix the damn plug and or worn wall outlets! Tom


olefish
Novice

Feb 27, 2018, 6:10 PM

Post #8 of 10 (1793 views)
Re: Carging system help Sign In

Thank you very much Tom Great info. I did get the spade to fit better and took it for a drive over ruff roads for a hour. It worked with no problems. So we will see. It is funny that I took the new plug off 4 times yesterday no changes.


olefish
Novice

Mar 1, 2018, 8:37 AM

Post #9 of 10 (1748 views)
Re: Charging system help Sign In

Well after sitting over night I am back to ground 0. Same old thing not charging again. I know which wire it is so is it the wire, plug or spade on the new generator? I just do not understand why it would stop working when sitting still?


(edit - corrected spelling only)


(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Mar 1, 2018, 9:34 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 1, 2018, 9:45 AM

Post #10 of 10 (1742 views)
Re: Charging system help Sign In

Trying to stay out was only defining a term. Top post you said new alternator (remanufactured probably?) came with new plug. How did your splice there go and how did you do it? You fussed there before it worked for a while so need to know if the splice job was good you should use your DVOM and see "continuity" only makes it thru the spliced wire. "Continuity" = it passes OHMS without resistance thru now a "man made" connection. Can back probe connection back to other end of each wire or another plug just means that the wire is intact inside,


T







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