Alex C Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 OK, here goes the story of my screwed up charging system. I bought my car in 97. It is an 1982 GL 4-door sedan with a 3AT. About 6 months after I bought it the alternator failed. I replaced it. About a year later, it failed again, however my ******* self lost the receipt for that auto store. So I went to shucks, got a lifetime warranty alternator through them. So about a year later it fails. (Failure meaning red light and needle jumping all around depending on RPM). I went back to shucks and the alternator tested good, but I talked them into replacing it anyway. I installed it and everything was fine, again. So about a year later it fails again, same way. So repeat this formula with mild variations on a yearly basis, that has been my life with alternators and my car. Until this year. This year it starts flashing the red light intermittently, and it only has a problem in not always charging enough, never too high. Of course they test it to be ok and refuse to replace it, saying my wiring etc... SO I go home with it acting up, drive around for he weekend (problem started on wed of that week), that monday I go in again, they say there is too much electrical noise to test it in the car and again say my wiring is at fault. So I go home again. I proceeded to cut off the wire on the back and replaced the severely aged connector that goes onto the post. It started charging a bit more but then quickly sank back to rest on the line right below the 12 and pretty much stayed there, occasionally dipping to the bottom, but never showing the red light. SO today its doing its thing, i turn it off at the store after work and when I go to start it it sounds like the battery is weak. Same thing at the video store 5 minutes later. Then I go to my friends for a few hours and when i go to start it its obviously so weak Im lucky it started, I turn the headlights on and they are obviously running on battery as well. I limp home like that, making it luckily. So what is the problem? Why does replacing the alternator fix the problem? What do i do now? Thanks for any help rendered. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 '82's seem to be very problematic in this area. I spoke at length with McBrat about his wagon, and as I recall, he ended up running a new wire to the fuse box under the dash - you might talk to him about this. It could be your battery as well. A dying battery can really take it's toll on the alternator. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted August 21, 2004 Author Share Posted August 21, 2004 What does the fuse box have to do with it? The battery isnt getting charged. Also, the battery was replaced about 6 months ago. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 A short in the system will cause the alternator to work very hard, it will drain the power from the alternator and thus the alternator won't charge anything. It will also cause the alt to fail prematurely. You need to figure out where the short is that is causeing the alt to work so hard. Talk with McBrat - he had very similar problems that were solved by re-routing the fuse box main power feed. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted August 21, 2004 Author Share Posted August 21, 2004 Thanks GD, now where do i find McBrat? PS, I have to fix this tomorrow morning. I have my future first motorcycle to check out tomorrow night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 If you have an external regulator you should check that for a bad connection. Also check the fusible links for a bad connection. Also check the battery ground lead for any problem. The way things are acting it does seem you have a connection problem somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 Sorry to say that it may not be that simple. First you have to figure out what the problem is. I wish I could help more, but I'm afraid it's going to be a matter of many long hours of pokeing at it with a multi-meter to find your real culprit. I have an 82 FSM on the way from the bay of E, but it might be a week or so before I get it. If you are still having trouble, I'll scan the wireing diagrams for you when I get it. In the mean-time, clean EVERY ground connection you can lay your hands on. They get nasty from age, and there's a LOT of them. Sand paper works well, as does a wire brush. Also if your battery terminals look crappy and corroded, you might replace them. Get the generic type, and cut the old ones off. Make sure to strip the wires back to where they are clean, and use some di-electric grease when you attach the new ones. Good idea to invest in a small tube of the stuff, as you will want to coat all the ground connections and any connectors you clean with it to prevent further corrosion down the road..... In case you aren't aware, you have an internally regulated alt. '82 was the first year. Just don't want you to go off looking for an external regulator.... GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted August 21, 2004 Author Share Posted August 21, 2004 Ok I just tested the wires, everything checks Ok, so it has to be the alternator. So now Im not sure what to do. According to the FSM the red light not being on ever is also a problem with the alternator, mine is intermittant when I turn it on. I guess it hasnt been charging in a while, because the needle has been way low, which is the voltage in the battery right? but I also check the voltage on the battery, got 12.38. going bald ever quicker this way. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 If you are seeing 12.3 volts at the battery while the engine is off that should be ok. Try taking a voltage reading of the battery while the engine is running around 2,000 rpm with the headlights on and blower motor running on high. If you measure between 12.3-14.8 volts that is good. You may have a problem with the red warning light. They use this a lot in the exciter circuit to supply voltage. If the bulb is bad then you will not have any output from the alternator. Turning the key to the on position should test the warning lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted August 21, 2004 Author Share Posted August 21, 2004 OK, i pulled out the alternator and got a ride into medford to fight with shucks again. I reached into the alternator with a screwdriver and snapped a wire. Of course it failed. I just got the replacement installed, got a jumpstart to get my battery back up, and it works great, no more problems. BTW, it was 6-2-02 was the last time I had it replaced. My charging needle is up at the normal level, and the light is coming on with the ignition on but the engine not running, like it should be. Alex, not entirely shame free for snapping a wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 Glad you got it going. Thanks for the feedback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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