1993 Chrysler Concorde. When driving, the instrument lights dimmed, the (after market) radio died, and the ABS light came on. A few seconds later, the ABS light went off and the radio came back on. About a minute later the car died and would not start, but it started normally about an hour later.
Testing with a voltmeter, I get around 12V across the battery when the car is off. When the car is running, the voltage across the battery slowly drops until it hits about 8.5V at which time the car dies. After sitting for awhile, the battery will be at 12V again and the experiment can be repeated.
I replaced the battery, and had the alternator tested at an auto parts store. It checked out ok. Any ideas?
2007-05-18 14:23:54 · 11 answers · asked by Rob 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
What is the battery voltage when the car is running? It should be around 13.5-15.6.
It really seems like the alternator isn't charging or the voltage regulator is shot. Maybe take it to another store or shop and retest it.
Another possibility would be a parasitic electrical short somewhere in the system.
2007-05-18 14:41:54 · answer #1 · answered by The Infamous Froot Loops 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a problem with corrosion at the battery cables but since you replaced the battery I would guess it was OK there. Test wiring and connections off the alternator. If they are good it is the alternator. I would not trust a parts person to test anything. Most of the time they can't even order the right part. Been there done that.
2007-05-18 14:40:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup for some reason its not charging and creating low voltage concern. seems like you may has some issues with either of the 2 battery cables or the wiring from/ to the alternator. The reason that the battery is changing voltage is most likly getting a light charge from the charging system so I would start with a good inspecion of the battery cables and go from there to inspecting the large wire on the alternator.
I would also start the car and take a volt meter and check from the large wire on the back of the alternator to ground to see if the alternator is producing more then battery voltage. if its not then then suspect the wiring to the regulator, if it is then once again go back to step one battery cables or supply wire from alternator
2007-05-18 14:38:41 · answer #3 · answered by moe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The alternator is not charging. Could be a fuse, could be a broken wire, etc. The car battery will slowly regenerate to some degree, and will show 12v. 12.6 is a fully charged battery. The car should show about 14.5 when running with nothing on electrically. As in blower, lights etc. Need to find out why the alternator that test good isn't charging when in your car.
2007-05-18 14:38:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Chrysler products of your vintage used pull-apart connectors inline with the battery cables. These were trouble prone due to corrosion. Check the harness leaving the battery area & passing over to the engine. You should find 1 or 2 molded single wire connectors on the heavy guage wires. Pull them apart, clean & reconnect. Other possibility would be the voltage regulator for the alternator. Unfortunatly it is built into the PCM (engine controller), you will need a shop manual to test it.
2007-05-18 14:51:55 · answer #5 · answered by code2e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at the same time as many circuits are going undesirable, you start up with the battery connections. verify the battery connections - the cable from the unfavourable submit to the automobile floor may be undesirable. There may be dissimilar corrosion contained in the cable connector on the battery terminal. Or the cord contained in the cable has worked free or is damaged. replacing the cable remedies that situation. the relationship to the automobile body may be corrorded. attempt eliminating that cable thoroughly, sand the parts on the automobile body and on the cable connector to make sparkling sparkling connections. then you also check out your alternator. The cable connectors there is free too. The alternator might want to be bumped off and its mounting section wiped clean of airborne dirt and mud and dirt.
2016-11-04 09:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what dose the voltage do w. the car on but not running? get a amp clamp, and check for draws. start at the batt. and check each wire, follow the wire with the high amp draw.
2007-05-18 14:42:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heavy dead short somewhere.
Maybe a battery/starter cable melted to the exhaust manifold?, pinched in something? rubbed through the sheilding on the frame?
2007-05-18 14:37:10 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
seems you have an eletric short take it to a electric specialists
2007-05-18 14:27:55 · answer #9 · answered by wonderboy n 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah...dump it and get a new car...it's gonna cost ya to get it fixed.
2007-05-18 14:28:53 · answer #10 · answered by Chrys 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋