Charging System Problems

Tiny
RAINBOWM
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
I replaced the alternator a couple months back. The battery light started coming on a couple days ago and it would turn on and off. I noticed that my window (driver side) would sometimes not roll up or rolls up very slow. Also, the air conditioning would do the same thing, it would be stronger at times than others. The car died on me a couple of times, but when I went to turn it on (maybe a few hours later) it would work, but the light would be on again and it would seem like there was no power again. I took the car to Kragen and they said that the alternator and starter were ok but the battery is bad. My husband tested the battery with a test light and instead of having a dim light, it was blinking (almost like when you turn on your blinkers). I bought a new battery and installed it last night, but when I went to warm up my car this morning the battery light came back on. What would be causing this and how can I fix it?
Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 4:29 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It sounds like the alternator is bad again I would install a AC Delco unit. This guide can help confirm the issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
RAINBOWM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
The alternator was tested yesterday and they said that it was fine. Should I have tested it after I installed the new battery?
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It sounds like the alternator is intermintantly failing maybe a voltage regulator inside it or something. You need to invest in a multimeter there like 10 and when the battery light is on see what the voltage is at the battery cables. Lets go from there everything you describe leads to a alternator not charging sometimes. Have you made sure all the leads to the alternator are making a good tight connection?
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
RAINBOWM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
You're right.I just took it down to get it tested again and they said that the voltage regulator failed. Do I still need to get the multimeter? I will have the leads to the alternator are checked as well. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help! I will keep you posted! :)
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome thats what were here for. If you wanted to get a multimeter to just have in case you have other issues with the car the multimeter can be used for a lot of of different things also around the house etc. But keep me posted on what you find and check all the leads.
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
RAINBOWM
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It worked, it was the alternator that was bad. :) I was able to exchange it and get the new one in. Also made sure that all the leads were okay. I REALLY appreciate all your help! It has been difficult without a car so now I'm back on the road! :)
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 10:39 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome thats what were here for. Glad to hear it was a simple fix.
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 10:49 PM
Tiny
STEPHENMGARRETT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
I have been having intermittant charging system problems with this car for a couple of years. I have replaced the alternator 3 times and the battery twice. My assumption is that the battery went bad due to the alternator not charging or vice versa. I now have replaced the battery (tested bad) two weeks ago and the alternator (tested good but under warranty and convinced the parts store to replace it anyway) today. The alternator is not charging. I have put a dvom on the battery while the engine is running and it only shows battery voltage. I also put it directly between the post on the back of the alternator and the negative battery terminal and got the same results. Both connectors are tight. My assumption is that the computer controls the alternator and tells it when to charge and when not to throught the two wires on the 4 pin connector. If I am correct and the computer is just not telling the system to charge, can I wire in a manual switch to manually do what the computer is supposed to do automatically? If I am way off then can you tell me what else to check? This is the only car that my family of 5 has to drive and we are stuck. I am mechanically inclined and was ASE certified in Automatic Transmissions and Steering and Suspension but am week on troublshooting beyond obvious things as I lack experience in that area. I have the ability to perform any check or modification you suggest. Please help. Thank you.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Can I wire in a manual switch to manually do what the computer is supposed to do automatically? If you do- you will bypass the field generation control which is built into the PCM-its like not having a voltage regulator to control the alternator output-therfore it will ruin your battery by overcharging it. Also see below


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_alty_19.jpg

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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,230 MILES
Got the wires messed up on the starter and cannot find what is wrong. It will run but not charge the battery?
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You need to make sure the wiring is correct to make the system work. Here is a wiring diagram so you can double check. Test through the gray fusible link.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_alty_9.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers
Image (Click to make bigger)
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Yes, I had this problem and the link was blown. I had it replaced now everything is great! Thanks for the help.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VAIR GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Electrical problem
1997 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 162K miles

97 Cavalier with 160K miles. Yesterday I was driving along and the ABS light goes on then I noticed the lights where a little dim then things started flashing on and off (even the wipers and they where turned off) eventually the car died and would not start back up. 20 minutes later the car starts back up without doing anything but the problem is still there I barely made it home. Today I charged up the battery and took the charger off the battery. The battery was reading 12.5 Volts. I start up the car and the voltage on the battery gradually goes down. I figured even if the battery was bad I'd get around 14 volts on it if it's charging. So I replaced the alternator and I still have the same problem. I cleaned up the grounds on both the battery and where it attaches to the motor along with the other connections. I'm stuck I have no idea what to do.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Take te car to any autoparts store and get a free charging system test, including battery, alternator, starter and drain test.

You will have to get the ABS system scanned with a chassis scanner, most autoparts stores can only scan "P" or powertrain codes, not "C" (chassis) codes.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHARKTAT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
I'm having a problem with my charging system.I have had the altenator tested and it passed all tests. I have a New battery also. The problem I'm having is the alt. Is not charging the battery.I'm told that on this year the regulator is run by the computer. Is there a way I can test this to find out. I would hate to get a new computer and have it not be the problem.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The computer controls the alternator field generation to increase and decrease resistances-to raise the voltage or lower it.

See below this is how your charging system is wired.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_cavalier_alty_1.jpg



www. .com
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHARKTAT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
According to the wiring diagram you show my car must be wired wrong because I don't have a wire going from alt to starter solenoid. Its goes direct to battery
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHARKTAT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
According to the wiring diagram you show my car must be wired wrong because the wire on the alternator goes direct to the battery not the starter solenoid
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICHARD FERRAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
I have a 96 chevy cavalier and we are haveing problems with the charging system we have put on a new altenator and a new battery and it still isnot charging and cant figure out why.
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Check for battery voltage on the large output terminal on the back of the generator. If it's missing, look for a large bolted-in fuse in the under-hood fuse box.

Does the battery light on the dash come on when the ignition switch is turned on? If it does, that circuit is ok. If it doesn't, check for voltage on the wire in the generator's plug when it is unplugged and the ignition switch is on.

Caradiodoc
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Thursday, December 19th, 2019 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)

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