alternator and battery problems
cagebit
02-23-2005, 07:40 AM
We had to get a boost on our 91 1.9l wagon, the battery didn't hold the charge, replaced the alternator. Started the car, let it idle, there was a burning smell, turned the car off, now it won't start even with a boost.
There is a click only. Any suggestions?
There is a click only. Any suggestions?
chevyn0va1
02-23-2005, 08:19 AM
We had to get a boost on our 91 1.9l wagon, the battery didn't hold the charge, replaced the alternator. Started the car, let it idle, there was a burning smell, turned the car off, now it won't start even with a boost.
There is a click only. Any suggestions?
what made you think it was the alt. that needed to be replaced? this was from another post i think by alvin:
To check for battery drain:
a. Key "off", disconnect the (-) battery terminal. Connect a test light between the (-) battery terminal and the disconnected battery cable. It the light comes on, there is a short (drain) somewhere in the electrical system.
b. Disconnect the alternator wiring harness. If the light goes out, there's a problem in the alternator, and it should be replaced.
c. If the light stays on, pull each fuse until the light goes out. (This will tell you which component is shorted.)
There is a click only. Any suggestions?
what made you think it was the alt. that needed to be replaced? this was from another post i think by alvin:
To check for battery drain:
a. Key "off", disconnect the (-) battery terminal. Connect a test light between the (-) battery terminal and the disconnected battery cable. It the light comes on, there is a short (drain) somewhere in the electrical system.
b. Disconnect the alternator wiring harness. If the light goes out, there's a problem in the alternator, and it should be replaced.
c. If the light stays on, pull each fuse until the light goes out. (This will tell you which component is shorted.)
A. Souphound
02-23-2005, 08:27 AM
We had to get a boost on our 91 1.9l wagon, the battery didn't hold the charge, replaced the alternator. Started the car, let it idle, there was a burning smell, turned the car off, now it won't start even with a boost.
There is a click only. Any suggestions?
Inspect the alternator wiring harness (look for bare wires touching metal or each other) and the connectors at the alternator and voltage regulator (if it's an external regulator) They must be in good condition tight and have no corrosion. Check the fusible link (if equipped) or main fuse located between the starter solenoid and alternator. If it is burned, determine the cause, repair the circuit and replace the link or fuse. The vehicle will not start and/or the accessories will not work if the fusible link or main fuse is blown. Sometimes a fusible link may look good, if in doubt remove it and check for continuity. Let us know what you find, and we will be glad to help if you need us.
There is a click only. Any suggestions?
Inspect the alternator wiring harness (look for bare wires touching metal or each other) and the connectors at the alternator and voltage regulator (if it's an external regulator) They must be in good condition tight and have no corrosion. Check the fusible link (if equipped) or main fuse located between the starter solenoid and alternator. If it is burned, determine the cause, repair the circuit and replace the link or fuse. The vehicle will not start and/or the accessories will not work if the fusible link or main fuse is blown. Sometimes a fusible link may look good, if in doubt remove it and check for continuity. Let us know what you find, and we will be glad to help if you need us.
chevyn0va1
02-23-2005, 08:45 AM
Inspect the alternator wiring harness (look for bare wires touching metal or each other) and the connectors at the alternator and voltage regulator (if it's an external regulator) They must be in good condition tight and have no corrosion. Check the fusible link (if equipped) or main fuse located between the starter solenoid and alternator. If it is burned, determine the cause, repair the circuit and replace the link or fuse. The vehicle will not start and/or the accessories will not work if the fusible link or main fuse is blown. Sometimes a fusible link may look good, if in doubt remove it and check for continuity. Let us know what you find, and we will be glad to help if you need us.
I had a caravan that blew a fusable link half the electrical system worked and the other half didnt. I had dash light but nothing at all when you turn the key. no click not light dim nothing.
I had a caravan that blew a fusable link half the electrical system worked and the other half didnt. I had dash light but nothing at all when you turn the key. no click not light dim nothing.
A. Souphound
02-23-2005, 09:00 AM
what made you think it was the alt. that needed to be replaced? this was from another post i think by alvin:
To check for battery drain:
a. Key "off", disconnect the (-) battery terminal. Connect a test light between the (-) battery terminal and the disconnected battery cable. It the light comes on, there is a short (drain) somewhere in the electrical system.
b. Disconnect the alternator wiring harness. If the light goes out, there's a problem in the alternator, and it should be replaced.
c. If the light stays on, pull each fuse until the light goes out. (This will tell you which component is shorted.)
Hey chevynOva1,
Thanks for posting the guideline. I agree, the root cause of the problem could have been either a bad battery or battery drain (short). However, subsequent events strongly suggest a short being the root cause.
There is now an incomplete circuit, and I suspect the fusible link (if it has one) is shot. If the circuit is fused, the wire burning smell came from the source of the shorted wire/s before the fuse blew. In either case, the fusible link or the main fuse must be replaced and the circuit checked per the battery drain guideline before the (-) battery terminal is reconnected.
Regards,
To check for battery drain:
a. Key "off", disconnect the (-) battery terminal. Connect a test light between the (-) battery terminal and the disconnected battery cable. It the light comes on, there is a short (drain) somewhere in the electrical system.
b. Disconnect the alternator wiring harness. If the light goes out, there's a problem in the alternator, and it should be replaced.
c. If the light stays on, pull each fuse until the light goes out. (This will tell you which component is shorted.)
Hey chevynOva1,
Thanks for posting the guideline. I agree, the root cause of the problem could have been either a bad battery or battery drain (short). However, subsequent events strongly suggest a short being the root cause.
There is now an incomplete circuit, and I suspect the fusible link (if it has one) is shot. If the circuit is fused, the wire burning smell came from the source of the shorted wire/s before the fuse blew. In either case, the fusible link or the main fuse must be replaced and the circuit checked per the battery drain guideline before the (-) battery terminal is reconnected.
Regards,
chevyn0va1
02-23-2005, 10:45 AM
Hey chevynOva1,
Thanks for posting the guideline. I agree, the root cause of the problem could have been either a bad battery or battery drain (short). However, subsequent events strongly suggest a short being the root cause.
There is now an incomplete circuit, and I suspect the fusible link (if it has one) is shot. If the circuit is fused, the wire burning smell came from the source of the shorted wire/s before the fuse blew. In either case, the fusible link or the main fuse must be replaced and the circuit checked per the battery drain guideline before the (-) battery terminal is reconnected.
Regards,
Great point. When the link i had popped, you could tell because was all melted. I think he jumped the gun alittle by replaceing the Alt. (without knowing how he came up with the alt was the cause)
Thanks for posting the guideline. I agree, the root cause of the problem could have been either a bad battery or battery drain (short). However, subsequent events strongly suggest a short being the root cause.
There is now an incomplete circuit, and I suspect the fusible link (if it has one) is shot. If the circuit is fused, the wire burning smell came from the source of the shorted wire/s before the fuse blew. In either case, the fusible link or the main fuse must be replaced and the circuit checked per the battery drain guideline before the (-) battery terminal is reconnected.
Regards,
Great point. When the link i had popped, you could tell because was all melted. I think he jumped the gun alittle by replaceing the Alt. (without knowing how he came up with the alt was the cause)
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