another Voltage/charging issue

951mat · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 06:14 AM

The existing threads have helped but I'm still confused w/ my problem.

My LSC will drain the battery in less than an hour at night w/ headlights on. Day running will also drain it, just alot slower. 1st thing is the optima battery won't charge above 12.3+ volts on the trickle charger. I checked all the grounds and they seem fine. The voltage gauge on the dash will read 12 at best and decline from there w/ time and lights/fans coming on.
Even w/ a weak battery I would think the dash gauge should read around 13 (it has in the past) if the alternator working.

I replaced regulator w/ no luck. Oreilly hooked up their gadget and it said the battery needed a charge and that the diodes were OK. (good alternator?)

Can someone tell me specifically how to bypass the alternator. I think that if puts out <12 when I bypass it, I'll replace that 1st. It has the remote regulator w/ 4 wires going into it (battery, field, stat, and a ground? I assume?) I need to open up the wiring cover to be sure.

strictlypersonl · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 951mat

The existing threads have helped but I'm still confused w/ my problem.

My LSC will drain the battery in less than an hour at night w/ headlights on. Day running will also drain it, just alot slower. 1st thing is the optima battery won't charge above 12.3+ volts on the trickle charger.

Sounds like a short inside the battery. If the battery were good, the voltage would slowly rise as the battery charge increased.

Quote:

I replaced regulator w/ no luck. Oreilly hooked up their gadget and it said the battery needed a charge and that the diodes were OK. (good alternator?)

Can someone tell me specifically how to bypass the alternator. I think that if puts out <12 when I bypass it, I'll replace that 1st. It has the remote regulator w/ 4 wires going into it (battery, field, stat, and a ground? I assume?) I need to open up the wiring cover to be sure.

There is an alternator testing section in this guide.

Power Surge · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 07:36 AM

I just went through this same thing. After extensive diag on the charging system, it turned out to be a bad connection on the "red charging light" in the dash. The power for the voltage regulator runs through this bulb, and if the circuit is broken, the voltage regulator gets no voltage and doesn't work. Pull the plug off the regulator and check the "I" terminal for battery voltage with the ignition on. If you have no voltage, that's your problem. I just bypassed that stupid light (we have an ammeter, so we don't need a light to tell us the charging system isn't working, and mine didn't come on anyway!).

951mat · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 12:18 PM

Well I guess my is wired quiet differently. Mine has two red wires on the batt terminal of the Alternator. One goes to never never land under the dash and one goes to the regulator directly. I don't have a "charge light" but the I terminal goes to a ground, I think. Then I do have stator and field wires going to the regulator too.
Unfortunately the ERA guide only confuses me more.

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 12:21 PM

In place of a 'Gen Light' sometimes a simple resistor is used instead, usually in the never never land area. But the fact remains, SOMETHING has to 'turn on' the regulator, there is some kind of voltage source required (in most applications).

951mat · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 12:32 PM

OK, the I terminal goes under the dash to the Painless wiring harness. Not sure what is does in there.

The A terminal gets its power straight from the alternator though unlike the ERA guide picture.

951mat · #7 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 03:27 PM

Well I did find the field wire was on a miscellaneous post on the back of alternator. Put it on the correct post and still no luck.

Before that I went ahead and bought a new one wire alternator. Will put that on tonight and see if that helps.

jwd · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 951mat

Before that I went ahead and bought a new one wire alternator. Will put that on tonight and see if that helps.

Please read this article on 1 wire charging systems before you buy one. I had a problem with an undercharged battery and dimming of the lights with a 1 wire system. Changed the set-up and have never had a problem since. My opinion of 1 wire systems is they are very poor at best. http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...hreewire.shtml