Voltage all over the place

[Steve Wood]

+They put out a lot more than idle than do the original units.

When you get the car back together, we can figure out what is going on

[challengermike]

Just waiting for PTC to restall my converter and it will be back in soon.It would be nice to solve my spoolup and voltage problem this year.

[SuperSix]

Lo and behold I fixed the voltage issue tonight.
I recharged the A/C, and it ran for quite awhile under 12.5v, and discharged the battery to where it wouldn't start. The old alternator couldn't handle the blower on high, and the dual fans running at full tilt at idle for ~45 minutes.

Since I recently got a spare alternator, I tossed it in (in the rain). When I went to put the positive cable back on the battery, I noticed another nugget of joy - somehow I had stripped the positive post out on my 1 year old battery.  (How do I fix that? Oversize bolt, I presume)

I had put the completely dead battery that was in the GN when I bought it on a trickle charger a month or so ago, and it actually held a charge. The manufacture date is 2005, I was shocked that it took a charge. Pupped that in, fired it up - and the voltage is rock steady now. Still dips a bit low at idle with A/C on and lights - but MUCH better than the old alternator.

Now I need to track down why the brown wire to the alternator exciter isn't working (remember that thread? And no, it's not the bulb) I spent a good chunk of time tonight studying the service manual, and I think I know where to look.

[Steve Wood]

It does not work because the contacts on the pc board? that the bulb twists into are worn, corroded, or somehow do not make good contact with the contacts on the bottom of the bulb socket.

Often, you can take a pencil eraser and clean the contacts (board and socket) and get it to work, or just twist the socket a little less, or a little more and it work....

[SuperSix]

It does not work because the contacts on the pc board? that the bulb twists into are worn, corroded, or somehow do not make good contact with the contacts on the bottom of the bulb socket.

Often, you can take a pencil eraser and clean the contacts (board and socket) and get it to work, or just twist the socket a little less, or a little more and it work....

I seem to rmemeber doing that - but not checking the source voltage. I have the diagrams now - hoe to get it done today.

Then I will tackle the stuck-on courtesy lights.

[Steve Wood]

I have never figured out how people can own one of these things without having, at least, the wiring diagrams.  I love these because they put each circuit on a page instead of having the entire car wiring diagram on two 8.5x11 pages with the wires a 1/16" apart

[Steve Wood]

the courtesy light switch(s) completes the ground...must be stuck or corroded inside

[SuperSix]

I have never figured out how people can own one of these things without having, at least, the wiring diagrams.  I love these because they put each circuit on a page instead of having the entire car wiring diagram on two 8.5x11 pages with the wires a 1/16" apart

I have the CD of the service manual. Not too hard to find the info.

the courtesy light switch(s) completes the ground...must be stuck or corroded inside

I pulled both door pins out before and checked them - they were good. One of the wires that go to them is shorted out somewhere.

[Steve Wood]

yep..working on this pos challenger, I found rats had eaten thru a wire in two places...and one of them was touching the roof of the car...big ol' spark when I fixed the first one

[phil_long]

Its amazing that this thread is still going on after all this time.  You would think that I've gotten my voltage issues fixed by now, but no.  Still dealing with being a new homeowner.....

[SuperSix]

I dug it up when I fixed my problem, which mainly consisted of me stopping whining, acting like a bitch, and just doing something about it.

[phil_long]

I dug it up when I fixed my problem, which mainly consisted of me stopping whining, acting like a bitch, and just doing something about it.

I need to do exactly the same.  About to go out and try these methods in testing the voltage.  Hopefully it works....

[phil_long]

I know its been stressed, but im placing one probe on the nut on the back of the alt......thats the same as the case right? I checked the nut on the back of the alternator and the neg probe on the battery and it bounced back n forth bewteen 14.4 13.xx. I still feel like i'm missing some voltage somewhere.  When I got the car out of the shop, my battery had just got off the charger.  the whole ride home the car ran superb.  SM was showing 14.5 to 13.9.  After that ride home, I havent seen 14. anything on my SM, which leads me to believe that something is wrong.  This is beyond annoying.

[SuperSix]

I know its been stressed, but im placing one probe on the nut on the back of the alt......thats the same as the case right? I checked the nut on the back of the alternator and the neg probe on the battery and it bounced back n forth bewteen 14.4 13.xx. I still feel like i'm missing some voltage somewhere.  When I got the car out of the shop, my battery had just got off the charger.  the whole ride home the car ran superb.  SM was showing 14.5 to 13.9.  After that ride home, I havent seen 14. anything on my SM, which leads me to believe that something is wrong.  This is beyond annoying.

Was the < 14 at idle? Also - the alternator may put out more after first running to recharge the battery. Anything ~ 13.5 at idle is fine.

[phil_long]

does anyone know what this is? it wasnt plugged up,but also wasnt sure if it shouldve been or not