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Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM?


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cjlloyd1
New User

Aug 30, 2012, 9:22 PM

Post #1 of 9 (7018 views)
Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM? Sign In

My daughter is a college student on a tight budget. Her 2004 Sebring 2.7L has a brand new battery. It now has a new alternator and timing belt as well. The battery is not charging. The place where I bought the battery charged me $100 to tell me that I need a new PCM (they first said needs a new computer). They claim the PCM is not letting the alternator receive power. 2 other mechanics that I talked to said they do not believe the PCM controls the alternator.

Does it control the alternator?

Any suggestions?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 31, 2012, 3:27 AM

Post #2 of 9 (6977 views)
Re: Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM? Sign In


Quote
2 other mechanics that I talked to said they do not believe the PCM controls the alternator.


Those 2 guys are not mechanics and would be wrong. The alternator is controlled by the PCM which is also known as the computer.

There are many other possible causes for it not charging that need to be checked first though.



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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.



cjlloyd1
New User

Aug 31, 2012, 6:12 PM

Post #3 of 9 (6958 views)
Re: Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM? Sign In

So if this was diagnosed with it being the PCM and I trust the diagnosis enough to replace it, is there any need to worry about what might have caused it to go out?
Any concern over something shorting it out?

I did find some rebuilt ones online that come in programmed. I'm leaning towards going that route. I'll see if I can post a picture to verify that I found the PCM under the hood. I'm fairly certain that I did.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 31, 2012, 6:25 PM

Post #4 of 9 (6951 views)
Re: Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM? Sign In

I really can't think of anything that could have caused it other than maybe the alternator itself but I even doubt that. I don't know how capable you are with electronics but there is a way to install an external voltage regulator and eliminate the PCM from that duty.

You would need to buy one of the old style, solid state, 2 wire regulators.
Here is the wiring.






You can buy the whole kit here


http://alternatorparts.com/external-voltage-regulator-high-output-alternator-kit.html




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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.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Aug 31, 2012, 6:28 PM)


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 31, 2012, 6:32 PM

Post #5 of 9 (6946 views)
Re: Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM? Sign In


Quote
So if this was diagnosed with it being the PCM and I trust the diagnosis enough to replace it, is there any need to worry about what might have caused it to go out?



It is extremely important that you determine the cause of the external regulator going out. The regulator grounds/modulates the alternator field coil to ground. If the alternator field is directly shorted to battery voltage from either an internal alternator problem or a wiring problem between the alternator and PCM, the current will cook the transistor in the regulator.





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cjlloyd1
New User

Aug 31, 2012, 7:04 PM

Post #6 of 9 (6938 views)
Re: Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM? Sign In

That kit sounds like a possibility. Will it work with the new alternator that I just installed?

The kit website had a good description of what causes this. I was skeptical of replacing the "computer" since everything else is running fine. Thanks!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 31, 2012, 7:07 PM

Post #7 of 9 (6932 views)
Re: Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM? Sign In

I usually bypass them. There is a lot less risk and it works great. What year is the car?



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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.



cjlloyd1
New User

Aug 31, 2012, 7:12 PM

Post #8 of 9 (6926 views)
Re: Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM? Sign In

It is a 2004. Not very fun to work on. You have to remove the right tire to get to the battery and you have to remove the left tire to get to the belt and tensioner.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 31, 2012, 7:33 PM

Post #9 of 9 (6915 views)
Re: Sebring Alernator controlled by PCM? Sign In

Here are clearer instructions













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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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