93 Corsica wont charge battery, dies often.

[Firewind]

So, right away you think, ah yeah, it's an alternator problem! nope. New alternator, even took it back out and had it tested. Works fine... But for what ever reason it's not charging.

Now, I will be honest, I haven't seen this car, or taken a look at it yet. But I will be on saturday, and it needs to be fixed on saturday.

I'm looking for any clues, why would the battery not be getting a charge from the alternator? My first guess is a bad ground or something. But i was wondering if there is a more common problem.

Apparently they talked to some one, who said "Oh yeah, we've been seeing this problem, there is a wire that breaks off some where under the dash." of course, to me, I'm like huh? that doesn't add up to me. Has anyone else heard of this? I think the guy is just BSing because he doesn't wanna deal with the work.

If anyone has any ideas on what else to check besides the common stuff, let me know!

Thanks,
Adam

[jsgold]

I may not offer much help, but here are my thoughts... These cars are ROUGH on alternators, expect to replace them every 2-3 yrs. How was it tested? I have bought them only to find them bad right out of the box, even NAPA units. I would read the voltage before and after starting the engine, and see if you are getting any voltage. maybe battery is toast. On a lot of cars there are fusible links that are on the hot wires in the engine compartment in case of shorts, act like a fuse but made into the wires. Check continuity on battey cables and wires to the alternator etc. Take a multimeter with you. Not a 100% positive check (can't check amperage but you can check voltage). I know nothing under the dash that would cause this except possible blown fuse etc. Is it runnig and draining battery, or just not putting out any voltage at all? Since you have not seen the car it is hard to tell but check the voltage, wires, and fuses. Stalling is bad sign, sounds like either the alternator is bad, battery is bad, or a fusible link blown to me. Good luck.

[Firewind]

To my understanding it was tested by taking it back out, and taking it to autozone, and having them test it. It was a bran new one they bought. I'll test it out all out.

[Firewind]

Well I checked out the car this last week end. Alternator, seems to be putting out the voltage, and amps... 12 amps from the alternator.. 11 amps at the battery when it's running. Battery seems to have a steady voltage from it too.

But he's so convinced that's it's a wire under the dash, and that it isn't something else stalling out the car... Because some kid at autozone told him that. I don't have the time or free energy to take appart a dash for something I have no clue to what I am looking for.

If anyone can confirm this random wire under the dash that breaks or melts through, or some how comes dissconnected I'd be more willing to spend more time on it.

My thoughts on it is something else stalls the car, and they're trying to start it so many times, that it drains the battery.

I also noticed there is a small radiator leak.

[jsgold]

What was the voltage, and how did you check it? The Corsica alternators are rated for 95-100 amps with a/c. The voltage should be 12+ not running, 13-14 running. You would need an amp meter to test amperage, but you may well have done this. Just asking. I know of nothing myself short of a blown fuse and that is doubtful. If I can think of anything else I will advise. One other thing, if they keep trying to start this car and battery gets drained they can burn up the starter. Most of them can fail when voltage drops below 10 volts and this is a real possibility.

[jsgold]

If the car is constantly stalling you may be right. They may just be draining the battery. My dad has done this a couple of times on his old car. His car would run for a while, stall, run and stall. would crank too much trying to restart. Ended up being engine module, as it would heat up and shut the car off. The fact that the car stalls is a concern. Maybe this is what the person meant. The engine firing module would be on the engine though, although there is also a computer under the dash. Our 91 Corsica had this fail but usually the computer shows false codes etc, so I doubt if this is a problem for you, But, a stalling car can be the ignition module failing along with a lot of other things... Good luck.

[jdl]

I guess in the specs you listed, you meant volts not amps? At the bat terminal on the alternator, with the engine running, all electricals turned on, I like to see at least 13.5 volts.

I don't have an alternator wiring diagram for this vehicle, is there a charge lamp indicator on the dash, With the key on engine off, does the lamp come on?

On a lot of these systems, the alternator has to have excite voltage, no excite voltage, even a good alternator won't charge.

In the past, I have had a discount auto store lie to me about the condition of an alternator, especially if a warranty was involved. I not saying that is the case here, I don't know.

[wmpwilson]

I am interested in if this was ever resolved. I have just gotten a 93 Corisca with a 3.1 that is doing same thing minus the dieing part. I put a brand new battery and Alternator in it today. Whien I started it, I noticed the charge light was still lit on the dash, so I disconnected the negative cable from battery and the car died. I didn't have a voltmeter or amp gauge with me, so this was my back-yard mechanic test to see if it was charging.

I drove the car home from where I bought it (for a really good price), and then took the old alternator to parts store to have it checked. It passed all tests. When I got home, I checked the fuse box, and there is a 10 amp fuse for the alternator, but it was good. I'm thinking there may be a fuseable link in the mix somewhere. Any thoughts?