Alternator Not Charging?

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 BUICK LUCERNE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 3,000 MILES
The alternator is not working even though it is new why?
Saturday, August 9th, 2014 AT 9:29 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
There is always a chance that the alternator is faulty even through it is new so we need to test it.

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

If it is okay and is able to charge then we need to check and see what the PCM is getting on the Gen F and L terminals.

These terminals are the control wires and it tells the alternator when to turn on and off based on electrical load.

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

So if we are getting properly voltage on both wires then we may just have an issue with the light turning on.

I assume there is an issue with the PCM that it is falsely turning the charge light on and it is properly charging but the light is just turning on.

Unless the battery is just draining and the alternator is not working then I suspect the PCM is not turning the alternator on.

Please run through this info and let me know if you have questions. Thanks
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 AT 4:48 PM

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