HELP! Charging System Problem

[xtra1es]

Ok I will start from the beginning, Last week my alternator started making noise so I figured it was going. Sure enough, yesterday the battery light turns on. I brought it to autozone and the said the alternator was shot, which made perfect sense. I bought a rebuilt 130amp to replace the stock 95 amp for like $100. Real easy install, took like 10 min. I start the truck and the light is still on and the volt guage inside isn't going back to where it used to go. I figured I was just unlucky enough to get a bad alternator. I brought it back and got another one, put it in, SAME THING! I go back to autozone again and swap it for a 95amp like the old one. I just put it in, same thing. I have no clue what to check now. I really dont want to have to go to the dealer with this. PLEASE HELP! It's a 1993 2wd Eddie Bauer.

 

[sirhk100]

I don't know how to check it or where it is but I'm sure someone will be able to tell you. If the voltage regulator failed it could be causing your problem.

 

[xtra1es]

The new alt came with a new regulator on it

 

[CHH777]

Is it reading higher or lower than normal?

 

[xtra1es]

lower, its on the N
but it doesnt go lower, it almost seems like its powering the things i use but not sending power to the battery. That would explain why the alt bench tests ok but doesnt when you hook the tester to the terminals.

 

[TDG]

Have you done any voltage checks? Like at the battery and at each of the three pins on the plug that plugs into the alternator? (With the plug plugged into the alternator and enigne running)You can normally push voltmeter test leads far enough down into the rubber on the back of the connector so they touch metal, I have found it normal for the center pin (white with black stripe on mine) to be at about half the voltage of the other two (yellow and green) 7 volts with the other two at 14 volts with the engine running. Without the engine running and the key off I found it normal to have about 12 volts on one lead (I think it was the yellow on mine) which is probably the reference voltage to the alternator. In case you have a different color code (which you shouldnt) mine go from left to right or bottom to top yellow, white with black stripe and then green. Also does the gauge move at all when you give it some gas? Are you getting new voltage regulators (gray thing on the back of the alternator) with these new units?

 

[leebo]

Check your fuses. The alt. has a fuse that when mine alt. went it took the fuse with it. The new alt. was still able to power the truck, but it wouldn't put out it's full power. Is the battery light still on??

 

[TDG]

I figured there had to be a fuse in there somewhere, it's been awhile since I've had to troubleshoot the charging system and I don't bring my books to work.

 

[xtra1es]

I will go pick up a voltmeter today and try. When i rev the engine the guage inside doesnt do anything. They all have new voltage regulators on them. The thing that is really bugging me is that the battery should be dying pretty fast if the alt isnt giving any power, but its not. could the alt be feeding power to my accessories but not my battery?

 

[xtra1es]

it must be the fuse. it is powering the truck but not charging the battery. But where is it?

 

[leebo]

It's in the box under the hood. I think it's slot is marked on the box. If not drop a line and I'll try to find it in the chiltons

ps....I went ahead and merged these two threads together. You'll have better luck on your problem that way.

 

[xtra1es]

oh ya, the battery light is still on. thats one reason why i know there is a prob. i looked at the main box under the hood and its not there. is it maybe a in line fuse?

 

[brax-91-xlt]

Same problem

I replaced my alt when it started making a grinding noise(bearings)
The light is on the dash gauge reads at tthe first leg of the "n" in normal.
I think there is an inline fuse near the battery but cant find it.
Its in the haynes wirng diagram. Just put new battery in b/c i killed the old one with the problem.
My fuse in the powerdistribution box is fine too.
I dont get it?
Some one Help and this guy
.

 

[brax-91-xlt]

Went look ing for the INLINE FUSE

I think i found it
I think its above the battery tray in a white coupler.
Gonna see tommarow Too late now to fool with it
Try it and see if thats it.
If it is Please LMK
Thanks