Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Calendar
Go Back   NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds > Tech Forums > Electrical and Wiring

Notices


Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 07-30-2013, 09:36 PM   #1
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

Alternator not charging, what did I forget ?

Well the engine swap is done, car runs but now the alternator is not charging the battery

I checked the output of the alternator. Had nothing at the battery

Checked all the grounds, checked the charge back wire and connector on the alternator. All seemed to be secured

I did not have a good enough DVOM to check anything else but the voltage at the battery

First thought was maybe the alternator was damaged upon removal, stud for charge back wire spun. So I replaced the alternator and still isn't charging

What is it exactly that one wire does in the connector and should I have a certain voltage there ? or is it specifically for my gauge?

What could have happened ? what should I look for ?
Where exactly does that one wire go to so I can check to see if it is broken or shorted as well

Any suggestion or help is appreciated
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2013, 09:53 PM   #2
chrisfrom nj
 
chrisfrom nj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: west orange nj
Posts: 2,415
iTrader: (8)
Check if there's a blown fuse somewhere the same thing happened to me on my third gen it was a blown fuse
chrisfrom nj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2013, 10:34 PM   #3
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

had no idea there was a fuse for the alternator. ....

I'll add that on my list

thanks
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2013, 10:54 PM   #4
chrisfrom nj
 
chrisfrom nj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: west orange nj
Posts: 2,415
iTrader: (8)
Your welcome man
chrisfrom nj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 01:19 AM   #5
Dudbird113
 
Dudbird113's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Millstone, NJ
Posts: 641
iTrader: (0)
Check and see if ur alternator is putting any juice out. Then trace it back to the battery. Dont think theres a fuse but i could be wrong
__________________
94 TA GT. Stock 350, cam, exhaust
Dudbird113 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 07:06 AM   #6
ThoR294
^^^Lover of bad cars^^^ Meet Coordinator
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Whitehouse Station
Posts: 2,244
iTrader: (1)
anything that runs electricity has a fuse on it, unless you want to melt stuff
__________________
1986 Honda VFR750 - 89.3HP to the wheel
2000 Trans Am M6 - Mods: Yes.
2018 Durango R/T - AFE Intake, JLT Catch Can, Stainless Works Catback, Vinyl Dodge Racing Stripes
2003 Toyota Matrix XRS M6 - Lol
ThoR294 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 07:12 AM   #7
sweetbmxrider
Meet Coordinator
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,339
iTrader: (12)
The small wire goes to the pcm. Its usually referred to as the exciter wire online. The pcm controls charging output from the alternator. Alldata refers to a fusible link in the charge wire but I don't think there is one. There is no fuse in the circuit. If there is an issue with that small wire, the alternator won't charge. The large wire should have battery voltage constant and mid 13's to low 14's when charging. The alternator housing should show ground.
__________________
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 07:47 AM   #8
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

Thanks !

Is there a certain voltage that i should see from that signal wire. Like a 5v reference?

I'll check it all tonight
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 10:18 AM   #9
sweetbmxrider
Meet Coordinator
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,339
iTrader: (12)
I think its supposed to be 5-8 volts but that's from googling around, no source worth noting.
__________________
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 10:28 AM   #10
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

alright.

I have a feeling its going to be that line. Probably open somewhere.

I'll ohm it out from the pcm to the alternator and check for a short.

thanks again
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 11:16 AM   #11
sweetbmxrider
Meet Coordinator
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,339
iTrader: (12)
Yeah I think they have issues with it. Make sure the pin in the connector is ok as well. Your p/s pump isn't leaking, right? I believe its pin 15 on the pcm.
__________________
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 11:31 AM   #12
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

It was but i replaced both the pressure and return line

Yeah I get that here at BMW sometimes the pins will be pushed back into the connector and won't actually contact the pin on the component. But it did not look like it pushed back. I will triple check

But yes it was leaking. Already cleaned the harness with contact cleaner and used a little silicone around the weather packing to help it seal
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 11:33 AM   #13
V
Stalker
 
V's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
iTrader: (12)
IIRC, isn't the exciter wire activated by a signal from the cluster on the ls1 cars and not the pcm directly?

actually i dont know, nevermind me, ill keep thinking to myself lol

Last edited by V; 07-31-2013 at 11:34 AM.
V is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 11:57 AM   #14
sweetbmxrider
Meet Coordinator
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,339
iTrader: (12)
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyFirstZ View Post
It was but i replaced both the pressure and return line

Yeah I get that here at BMW sometimes the pins will be pushed back into the connector and won't actually contact the pin on the component. But it did not look like it pushed back. I will triple check

But yes it was leaking. Already cleaned the harness with contact cleaner and used a little silicone around the weather packing to help it seal
Ok, I just know its an issue with the pump leaking and killing the alternator. So the new one wasn't leaked on?

Quote:
Originally Posted by V View Post
IIRC, isn't the exciter wire activated by a signal from the cluster on the ls1 cars and not the pcm directly?

actually i dont know, nevermind me, ill keep thinking to myself lol
I think that is 98 only or 98-99.
__________________
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 01:16 PM   #15
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

No the new alternator was not leaked on. Vehicle has not left the lift since I first got this engine swap started
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 01:19 PM   #16
deadtrend1
11 second club / Moderator
 
deadtrend1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: West Berlin, NJ
Posts: 7,148
iTrader: (11)
If everything is plugged in, chances of the new alt being DOA?

I could later on see what the exciter voltage is supoosed to be and let you know
__________________
2001 Trans Am WS6 •SLP Loudmouth II •UMI Suspension •12.857 @ 109.57

1996 Trans Am WS6 •Pacesetter Longtubes •Strange 12 Bolt •Spohn Suspension •11.152 @ 123.85
deadtrend1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 01:51 PM   #17
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

Im gonna drop by the dealer and see if I can get a new pig tail.

I am curious what I should see there.

assuming the PCM controls the output it should be a range.
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 06:20 PM   #18
The_Bishop
Power Member
 
The_Bishop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Hackettstown, NJ
Posts: 1,631
iTrader: (3)
Or it could be PWM, but I don't remember off the top of my head.
__________________
1998 Z-28 - SLP lid - Ported TB - LS6 Intake - Dynatech SS headers/Catted Y - Magnaflow Exh - 3.42 - Yank SS3600 - UMI weld-in subframe connectors, Adj LCA, Adj PHB, Q1A TA - Bolt-in Relocation Brackets - Strano springs - Koni shocks - 17" C6Z06 wheels - 326HP/335ft-lbs - 12.35 @ 110.41

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6 View Post
I can appreciate a dream but this person needed some real friends.
The_Bishop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2013, 09:46 PM   #19
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

Well after some checking of everything

what i found

-no power from the alternator at B+ on battery or at alternator
-ground from alternator to chassis is good
-ground from battery to chassis is good
-no voltage at excitor wire while vehicle was running
-pulled connector at pcm and connector at alternator found open circuit from pin#15 on red connector PCM to alternator pigtail
-made a jumper wire from pcm to alternator connector and alternator is now charging

New pig tail is already on order for tomorrow morning, going to create my own line with the new pig tail since i dont know where it is broken.

Appreciate all the help guys ! Hope to have it out and about soon
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56

Last edited by MyFirstZ; 07-31-2013 at 09:47 PM.
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2013, 07:05 AM   #20
sweetbmxrider
Meet Coordinator
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,339
iTrader: (12)
Good stuff. Maybe along the way it got pinched or snagged and separated within the insulation.
__________________
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2013, 10:51 AM   #21
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

yeah I don't doubt it lol
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2013, 02:14 PM   #22
qwikz28
13 Second Club / Moderator
 
qwikz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,683
iTrader: (6)
Social Networks:

Was this fixed?
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow View Post
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
qwikz28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2013, 02:57 PM   #23
V
Stalker
 
V's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
iTrader: (12)
yes. he did. he posted how he fixed it in his build thread.
V is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2013, 07:36 PM   #24
MyFirstZ
 
MyFirstZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
iTrader: (8)
Social Networks:

sorry man. Yeah I found an open circuit on the exciter wire between the connector to the PCM pin #15 so I bought a new pig tail and connector from GM since the weather packing was screwed up and ran my own line from the alternator and spliced it into the pcm 6" away.

So far so good.
__________________
2000 Camaro SS
610rwhp/570rwtq
LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56

Last edited by MyFirstZ; 08-19-2013 at 07:37 PM.
MyFirstZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2013, 08:11 PM   #25
qwikz28
13 Second Club / Moderator
 
qwikz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,683
iTrader: (6)
Social Networks:

Quote:
Originally Posted by MyFirstZ View Post
sorry man. Yeah I found an open circuit on the exciter wire between the connector to the PCM pin #15 so I bought a new pig tail and connector from GM since the weather packing was screwed up and ran my own line from the alternator and spliced it into the pcm 6" away.

So far so good.
Ah glad to see you got it worked out. I just replaced my exciter wire connector too because it was screwed up even thought it was still working. I haven't checked in on your build thread for a while. Gotta check in to see how its doing.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow View Post
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
qwikz28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

  NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds > Tech Forums > Electrical and Wiring

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Sponsor List














All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.