Help! Charging barely working Gauge on low

[Shagnasty]

I just put in a stereo, and while playing around with it parked, and somewhat warm outside, the sytem dies. I notice the lights are dim, so i kill it, come back a moment later, and it wouldn't start.

I then jump it, drive it, and notice the guage for the charging is near low. I figure it's a bad alt. and go to the parts place.

They test it, and it does have a charging problem, so I buy a new alternator and put it on.

Viola! Same problem... no fix.. Now I've checked all the fuses, and the contacts all look great. I disconnecte my amp just to be sure it wasn't a wiring issue.

What else can I check?

 

[Billy177]

if the battery is original that may now be the weakest link. did you have the battery charged when you replaced the alt

 

[Shagnasty]

Nope.... does the bat. have to charge back up before the system registers ok?

 

[Crankcase]

Maybe the alternator field fuse is blown?

You could also have corroded cables....

 

[Shagnasty]

HAHA... I guess the system just had to charge back up. I bet the alternator was fine, and I'll have it tested later today.

 

[r37ribution]

on a side not its usualy a very BAD idea to connect a bad or dead battery to any alternator new or old. you can very easliy damage the module on the alt (i forget what its called, voltage regulator?). which usualy requires either a trip to the junk yard to find this module or a new alt!

 

[86caprirs]

Also, don't forget to check the positive cable......I have seen alot of thoes get corroded on the inside of the shielding or rub through against the battery

 

[Shagnasty]

The alternator got very very hot, but i bought the autozone lifetime warrantee model, so if it did fry, it would have just been quickly replaced. Everything seems to be working fine now...

Thanks for the help on this. =)

 

[r37ribution]

good sheet!