Alternator/Battery/Gauge issues
manitoufs
09-08-2007, 05:56 PM
Greetings -
I have an 01 EX coupe with 112,000 miles. Here are the symptoms:
1. While driving, instrument panel and radio will cease operation.
2. After varying amounts of time (10 seconds to a few minutes) they will begin operating again. The ABS light sometimes comes on.
3. Aux power source (lighter) will sometimes remain operating.
4. Sometimes the fan will slow down or stop running.
5. Engine operation never seems to be an issue - just the devices specified.
6. Once (today) the car would not turn over. Got it started with a jump and made it home.
Once home, I checked alternator output and the battery.
1. Voltage at the battery with the engine running was 13.7 (cooling fan off) and 13.3 (fan on).
2. The battery is of an unknown age (the date punches on it are all intact). I have had the car for 4 years. (I know - the battery is certain to be ready for a replacement.)
3. Specific gravity floats 2 balls in all 6 cells.
4. I currently have it charging at 12 amps.
My initial feeling was the alternator but I do not have any dash indication of a failure.
Would a bad battery alone cause these problems?
Is there a possible transiant problem with the alternator?
Anything else that might be causing this?
Thanx
I have an 01 EX coupe with 112,000 miles. Here are the symptoms:
1. While driving, instrument panel and radio will cease operation.
2. After varying amounts of time (10 seconds to a few minutes) they will begin operating again. The ABS light sometimes comes on.
3. Aux power source (lighter) will sometimes remain operating.
4. Sometimes the fan will slow down or stop running.
5. Engine operation never seems to be an issue - just the devices specified.
6. Once (today) the car would not turn over. Got it started with a jump and made it home.
Once home, I checked alternator output and the battery.
1. Voltage at the battery with the engine running was 13.7 (cooling fan off) and 13.3 (fan on).
2. The battery is of an unknown age (the date punches on it are all intact). I have had the car for 4 years. (I know - the battery is certain to be ready for a replacement.)
3. Specific gravity floats 2 balls in all 6 cells.
4. I currently have it charging at 12 amps.
My initial feeling was the alternator but I do not have any dash indication of a failure.
Would a bad battery alone cause these problems?
Is there a possible transiant problem with the alternator?
Anything else that might be causing this?
Thanx
Copytech99
09-09-2007, 08:27 AM
The symptoms sound like a low battery situation.
I would try the car after giving the battery a good charge. With the ELD system the charging voltage fluctuates a lot. I have had name brand batteries die after 3 years and bargain names last 6 years or more.
I would try the car after giving the battery a good charge. With the ELD system the charging voltage fluctuates a lot. I have had name brand batteries die after 3 years and bargain names last 6 years or more.
manitoufs
09-09-2007, 12:20 PM
Thanx for the suggestion. I replaced the battery today. (Cleaned up all of the connections also.) I figgered it was about due anyway. I will take the old one in for a load check.
Are you aware of any alternator issues with these cars that will would have it not pass voltage to the battery and still not show up on the idiot lights? I am thinking of hooking up a temporary voltmeter in the cockpit.
Are you aware of any alternator issues with these cars that will would have it not pass voltage to the battery and still not show up on the idiot lights? I am thinking of hooking up a temporary voltmeter in the cockpit.
Copytech99
09-09-2007, 01:05 PM
I forgot to mention the ground connections some times show problems on this generation. I think they use 3 or 4 different major grounding points.
The connections made at the body may need removed and cleaned up.
The connections made at the body may need removed and cleaned up.
manitoufs
09-13-2007, 04:25 PM
The verdict is in - Voltage regulator.
Final cost - $130 installed, not by me but by Fast Eddy's in Andrews, NC. I used Eddy in the past to build a HO alternator for my Typhoon. A rare combination of a smart and honest repair shop.
Final cost - $130 installed, not by me but by Fast Eddy's in Andrews, NC. I used Eddy in the past to build a HO alternator for my Typhoon. A rare combination of a smart and honest repair shop.
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