Will not charge battery after A/C and are lights on

Tiny
LARRY ANICH
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
Replaced battery and alternator, in park charges at 13.5/14 volts. When you have load on with lights, radio, heat or A/C battery drops to 11 volts and down continues until engine stops. Please help.
Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 AT 6:23 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon.

Is the belt good and tight and not slipping across the alternator.

Charging voltage should be between 14 and 14.5 volts.

The other items are effected by low voltage.

Lets start by checking battery voltage with the engine off. Can you give me that reading?

Roy
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Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
LARRY ANICH
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  • 8 POSTS
12.3 volts.
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Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 4:00 PM
Tiny
LARRY ANICH
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Started now 11.9 volts. Belt tight not slipping had at one time reading of charging at 14-15 volts. Will not come back again.
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Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, start it and tell me the readings with no load. It should be 14 to 14.5 volts.

Roy
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Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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If the voltage dropped to 11.9 with it running, then the alternator is the issue. It is pulling voltage from the battery.

What brand alternator? New or rebuilt?

Roy
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Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
LARRY ANICH
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
New and as I mentioned before. I think it was charging at one time at 14+ volts and then will not do it again. Cleaned jump ground which was corroded and cleaned positive jump still not changing alternator output. Should I be looking for wiring problem?
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Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 5:10 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, I attached a diagram for you to view. Make sure you have battery voltage to the red wire at the back. Also, check the power at the dark green wire.

Roy
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Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
LARRY ANICH
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
12.3 volts on red and green.
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Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
LARRY ANICH
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Someone mentioned the PCM?
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Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, how about the dark green wire I mentioned?

Roy
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Tuesday, July 24th, 2018 AT 2:58 AM
Tiny
LARRY ANICH
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  • 8 POSTS
12.3 on dark green.
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Tuesday, July 24th, 2018 AT 7:32 AM
Tiny
JIS001
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You should also do do a voltage drop test on the battery cables. Here is video link that will give you an idea on how to do this test:

https://youtu.be/_B0LjwQbUbg

If voltage is high in any one of those cables, check for corrossion on the other ends of the cable. If it is good then you may just have a defective alternator. Let us know what you measured and do the test with your loads on.
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Tuesday, July 24th, 2018 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, if you have power on both wires then it could be either the alternator or the PCM. The PCM does control the field which turns the charging on and off.

The fact you have a new alternator tells me and gives me a good feeling that the PCM may be the issue with this.

Roy
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Tuesday, July 24th, 2018 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
LARRY ANICH
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Is the PCM located in front of the power distribution center?
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Tuesday, July 24th, 2018 AT 8:17 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Procedure and picture

REMOVAL
Use the scan tool to reprogram the new PCM with the vehicles original identification number (VIN) and the vehicles original mileage. If this step is not done a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be set

The PCM engine control strategy prevents reduced idle speeds until after the engine operates for 320 km (200 miles). If the PCM is replaced after 320 km (200 miles) of usage, update the mileage and vehicle identification number (VIN) in the new PCM. Use the scan tool to change the millage and VIN in the PCM. If this step is not done a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be set and SKIM must be done or car will not start if it is a SKIM equipped car. If a SKIM car you must do a secret key transfer also.

To avoid possible voltage spike damage to PCM, ignition key must be off, and the negative battery cable must be disconnected before unplugging the
PCM connectors. Note radio programs.

Negative Battery Cable
imageZoom/Print

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and isolate.

Battery Connection
imageZoom/Print

Warning: if the negative battery cable is not disconnected the possibility of damaging the power-train control module by contacting the positive battery cable at the PDC.

PCM & Bracket
imageZoom/Print

2. Remove the 2 nuts holding the PCM and Bracket.
3. Unlock and disconnect the electrical connectors at the PCM.
4. Remove the 3 fasteners holding the PCM to the bracket.

INSTALLATION
The PCM engine control strategy prevents reduced idle speeds until after the engine operates for 320 km (200 miles). If the PCM is replaced after 320 km (200 miles) of usage, update the mileage and vehicle identification number (VIN) in the new PCM. Use the scan tool to change the millage and VIN in the PCM. If this step is not done a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be set and SKIM must be done or car will not start if it is a SKIM equipped car. If a SKIM car you must do a secret key transfer also.
1. Install PCM to bracket.
2. Install PCM and bracket to vehicle and connect the electrical connectors and lock connectors.
3. Install the 2 nuts and tighten.
4. Connect negative battery cable and reprogram radio and clock.
5. Using scan tool, program mileage and vehicle identification number (VIN) into PCM.
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Tuesday, July 24th, 2018 AT 8:31 AM

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