1986 El Camino, just replaced the alternator. When the car is running, it only puts 11.6 volts to the battery...is this a bad alternator or could it be a bad ground somewhere? it's a constant 11.6 and all my wires around the alt. and the battery terminals are very tight.
2006-12-20 09:38:53 · 21 answers · asked by Chad H. 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Chevrolet
Try changing the voltage regulator
2006-12-20 09:40:53 · answer #1 · answered by Ricky A 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Is the battery old? Did you charge the battery up to at least 12.3- 12.6 before checking the charging voltage? Make sure the battery is fully charged before starting and running the engine. A battery approximately needs to be 12.3 when the outside temp is no HIGHER than 55 degrees. The colder your area is, the lower the battery voltage will be after being charged. Didn't know if you knew that. Yes it could be a bad ground, it could also be a bad alternator; measure with a multimeter how much resistance at the positive stud and housing of the alternator; or have the parts store you bought it from check it out. But if you've had this car awhile and haven't had this problem until recently, I would make sure the battery is good FIRST. Have it load tested if you even suspect the battery. It could have a bad cell inside of it drawing a ton of current.
2006-12-21 18:35:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is your voltage regulator stock or aftermarket? If aftermarket, make sure it's installed in the right place (wiring). Basically, you follow the path to determine the cause. If the alternator checks out at the shop, then check the voltage regulator, if that checks out, check the battery. You may also want to install an ampmeter. The ampmeter will always work, even if your car is off. It generally tells you if the system is working properly. If it shows a negative reading while the car is running, you aren't charging the battery as fast as you are using it. Either you have a bad alternator or other electrical source that it drawing too much power. Speaking of which, if you have a fat sound system in your car, you may be pulling too much juice from the battery for your rating on the alternator. Also, if you have the ampmeter and the car is off, your reading should be dead center. If it is negative, even slightly, something is drawing power and that is another thing to check out.
If you have the sound system issue, check with your local auto sound dealer and find out if your alternator is strong enough. You may need a higher end model to compensate for the power draw of the amps. (also, don't be cheap-put capacitors on your amps that power the subs, well worth it).
2006-12-21 10:28:09 · answer #3 · answered by royal_fiction 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Battery voltage should be at least 13.8 volts w/engine running and charged battery.If your batt. was shorted out so bad that it would only charge 11.6 volts it would never start your car. This alt has a built in V.R. Is the alt.. You put on a known good one?
There are 3 wires on this alt.,one bolts on[batt.wire] and other two plug in. The battery wire should be hot all the time w/test light.
Of the other two [plug] wires one of them should be hot only with the key in run [on] position. The other wire should be hot always.
If the alt.batt.wire is not hot the fusible link down by starter may have rusted or burnt off.
Make sure the belt is tight.
I really think the alt. is at fault.
I have gotten alts.that were bad right out of the box.
2006-12-20 10:44:32 · answer #4 · answered by Old man wrench 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My statement to you is replace the ALTERNATOR. There are 3 diodes that direct the charging system to the battery from the mechanically turning alternator (its the little red cable usually on the top side plugged in at the back of the alternator unit.). Even one blown diode will cause a failure to charge, and you mtherefore run on the stored life of the battery.
The diodes are internal and integral with the ALT unit, so a repair would be a waste of time and effort. I have replaced many alternators enough to say that this is likely your primary source of issue, so I recommend you check there first.
I recommend you have a mechanic do an output test on the leads of that red cable where it plugs in to the ALT.
The other option is you may have the wrong alternator type (read as "part number"). If the unit is consistently undercharging, but since 99.9999999% of chevys run on 12+ and the alternator produces 13+, I suspect your replacement needs a replacement.
Replacing the alternator is my suggestion. Most chevys they are easy to get to. Takes me abt 10 minutes from "remove serpentine" to "reinstall serpentine".
2006-12-20 13:03:35 · answer #5 · answered by JBC 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds most likely that your battery has one or more dead cells. If you know a vendor or garage you can trust, they usually have a device to test the integrity of the battery. If a cell or more is gone, you need a new battery. Is the alternator light on your dashboard coming on when the engine is running? If it is, it is possible that the alternator is faulty - usually loads of money so take care! If it's that, ask for a reconditioned one; they are usually 1/2 to 2/3 the price of a brand new one. Trouble is, if you have been running a faulty alternator for a while, damage may have occurred to the battery and you could be in for both.
2006-12-20 09:56:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are all your connections, both positive, and negative clean and tight? check these connections being carefull to disconnect the battery negative first. If all connections are clean(no corrosion,rust, scum, ect.) check your body ground(the strap that connects the engine block to the body) also, check the strap that connects the body to the battery negative terminal. *note; Auto zone can check your alternator, usually this is a free service, give them a call.This info assumes that your alt is new and or good. If these criteria are acceptable, then the problem may be a hidden short somewhere in the system, this problem is best dealt with by a qualified technition. hope this will help. burts chevy
2006-12-20 10:00:52 · answer #7 · answered by Burts chevy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you just replaced the alt. I would advise you to have your batt. checked at one of the auto parts stores,however your batt. MUST have a full charge in order to have this test done . usually if the batt is not holding a charge it may have some bad cells,have it checked before you spend $$$$$
2006-12-20 09:57:38 · answer #8 · answered by JNISSI 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you have a bad alternator, although it is possible you have an open ground or a short somewhere which can be your problem.you should also check out your battery,preferably do a load test on it to make sure it is ok.
2006-12-22 11:20:50 · answer #9 · answered by yankeegray_99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep in mind people, his question sounds like a bad alternator. what he's saying is that the alternator isn't putting a big enough charge to the battery to charge it up and put power to the headlights and
2006-12-20 09:57:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
all alt. should put out over 13 volts. and your batt could have a dead cell. so you got to start some where, take the alt back and get another one.
2006-12-20 09:50:53 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋