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07-30-2013, 09:36 PM
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#1
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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Alternator not charging, what did I forget ?
Well the engine swap is done, car runs but now the alternator is not charging the battery
I checked the output of the alternator. Had nothing at the battery
Checked all the grounds, checked the charge back wire and connector on the alternator. All seemed to be secured
I did not have a good enough DVOM to check anything else but the voltage at the battery
First thought was maybe the alternator was damaged upon removal, stud for charge back wire spun. So I replaced the alternator and still isn't charging
What is it exactly that one wire does in the connector and should I have a certain voltage there ? or is it specifically for my gauge?
What could have happened ? what should I look for ?
Where exactly does that one wire go to so I can check to see if it is broken or shorted as well
Any suggestion or help is appreciated
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2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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07-30-2013, 09:53 PM
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#2
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: west orange nj
Posts: 2,415
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Check if there's a blown fuse somewhere the same thing happened to me on my third gen it was a blown fuse
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07-30-2013, 10:34 PM
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#3
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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had no idea there was a fuse for the alternator. ....
I'll add that on my list
thanks
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2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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07-30-2013, 10:54 PM
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#4
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: west orange nj
Posts: 2,415
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Your welcome man
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07-31-2013, 01:19 AM
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#5
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Millstone, NJ
Posts: 641
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Check and see if ur alternator is putting any juice out. Then trace it back to the battery. Dont think theres a fuse but i could be wrong
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94 TA GT. Stock 350, cam, exhaust
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07-31-2013, 07:06 AM
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#6
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^^^Lover of bad cars^^^ Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Whitehouse Station
Posts: 2,255
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anything that runs electricity has a fuse on it, unless you want to melt stuff
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1986 Honda VFR750 - 89.3HP to the wheel
2000 Trans Am M6 - Mods: Yes.
2018 Durango R/T - AFE Intake, JLT Catch Can, Stainless Works Catback, Vinyl Dodge Racing Stripes
2003 Toyota Matrix XRS M6 - Lol
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07-31-2013, 07:12 AM
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#7
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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The small wire goes to the pcm. Its usually referred to as the exciter wire online. The pcm controls charging output from the alternator. Alldata refers to a fusible link in the charge wire but I don't think there is one. There is no fuse in the circuit. If there is an issue with that small wire, the alternator won't charge. The large wire should have battery voltage constant and mid 13's to low 14's when charging. The alternator housing should show ground.
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07-31-2013, 07:47 AM
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#8
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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Thanks !
Is there a certain voltage that i should see from that signal wire. Like a 5v reference?
I'll check it all tonight
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2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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07-31-2013, 10:18 AM
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#9
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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I think its supposed to be 5-8 volts but that's from googling around, no source worth noting.
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07-31-2013, 10:28 AM
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#10
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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alright.
I have a feeling its going to be that line. Probably open somewhere.
I'll ohm it out from the pcm to the alternator and check for a short.
thanks again
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2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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07-31-2013, 11:16 AM
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#11
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Yeah I think they have issues with it. Make sure the pin in the connector is ok as well. Your p/s pump isn't leaking, right? I believe its pin 15 on the pcm.
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07-31-2013, 11:31 AM
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#12
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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It was but i replaced both the pressure and return line
Yeah I get that here at BMW sometimes the pins will be pushed back into the connector and won't actually contact the pin on the component. But it did not look like it pushed back. I will triple check
But yes it was leaking. Already cleaned the harness with contact cleaner and used a little silicone around the weather packing to help it seal
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2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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07-31-2013, 11:33 AM
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#13
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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IIRC, isn't the exciter wire activated by a signal from the cluster on the ls1 cars and not the pcm directly?
actually i dont know, nevermind me, ill keep thinking to myself lol
Last edited by V; 07-31-2013 at 11:34 AM.
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07-31-2013, 11:57 AM
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#14
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyFirstZ
It was but i replaced both the pressure and return line
Yeah I get that here at BMW sometimes the pins will be pushed back into the connector and won't actually contact the pin on the component. But it did not look like it pushed back. I will triple check
But yes it was leaking. Already cleaned the harness with contact cleaner and used a little silicone around the weather packing to help it seal
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Ok, I just know its an issue with the pump leaking and killing the alternator. So the new one wasn't leaked on?
Quote:
Originally Posted by V
IIRC, isn't the exciter wire activated by a signal from the cluster on the ls1 cars and not the pcm directly?
actually i dont know, nevermind me, ill keep thinking to myself lol
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I think that is 98 only or 98-99.
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07-31-2013, 01:16 PM
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#15
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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No the new alternator was not leaked on. Vehicle has not left the lift since I first got this engine swap started
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2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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07-31-2013, 01:19 PM
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#16
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11 second club / Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: West Berlin, NJ
Posts: 7,148
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If everything is plugged in, chances of the new alt being DOA?
I could later on see what the exciter voltage is supoosed to be and let you know
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2001 Trans Am WS6 •SLP Loudmouth II •UMI Suspension •12.857 @ 109.57
1996 Trans Am WS6 •Pacesetter Longtubes •Strange 12 Bolt •Spohn Suspension •11.152 @ 123.85
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07-31-2013, 01:51 PM
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#17
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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Im gonna drop by the dealer and see if I can get a new pig tail.
I am curious what I should see there.
assuming the PCM controls the output it should be a range.
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2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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07-31-2013, 06:20 PM
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#18
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Hackettstown, NJ
Posts: 1,638
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Or it could be PWM, but I don't remember off the top of my head.
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1998 Z-28 - SLP lid - Ported TB - LS6 Intake - Dynatech SS headers/Catted Y - Magnaflow Exh - 3.42 - Yank SS3600 - UMI weld-in subframe connectors, Adj LCA, Adj PHB, Q1A TA - Bolt-in Relocation Brackets - Strano springs - Koni shocks - 17" C6Z06 wheels - 326HP/335ft-lbs - 12.35 @ 110.41
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6
I can appreciate a dream but this person needed some real friends.
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07-31-2013, 09:46 PM
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#19
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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Well after some checking of everything
what i found
-no power from the alternator at B+ on battery or at alternator
-ground from alternator to chassis is good
-ground from battery to chassis is good
-no voltage at excitor wire while vehicle was running
-pulled connector at pcm and connector at alternator found open circuit from pin#15 on red connector PCM to alternator pigtail
-made a jumper wire from pcm to alternator connector and alternator is now charging
New pig tail is already on order for tomorrow morning, going to create my own line with the new pig tail since i dont know where it is broken.
Appreciate all the help guys ! Hope to have it out and about soon
__________________
2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
Last edited by MyFirstZ; 07-31-2013 at 09:47 PM.
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08-01-2013, 07:05 AM
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#20
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Good stuff. Maybe along the way it got pinched or snagged and separated within the insulation.
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08-01-2013, 10:51 AM
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#21
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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yeah I don't doubt it lol
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2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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08-19-2013, 02:14 PM
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#22
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,689
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Was this fixed?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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08-19-2013, 02:57 PM
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#23
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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yes. he did. he posted how he fixed it in his build thread.
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08-19-2013, 07:36 PM
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#24
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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sorry man. Yeah I found an open circuit on the exciter wire between the connector to the PCM pin #15 so I bought a new pig tail and connector from GM since the weather packing was screwed up and ran my own line from the alternator and spliced it into the pcm 6" away.
So far so good.
__________________
2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
Last edited by MyFirstZ; 08-19-2013 at 07:37 PM.
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08-19-2013, 08:11 PM
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#25
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,689
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyFirstZ
sorry man. Yeah I found an open circuit on the exciter wire between the connector to the PCM pin #15 so I bought a new pig tail and connector from GM since the weather packing was screwed up and ran my own line from the alternator and spliced it into the pcm 6" away.
So far so good.
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Ah glad to see you got it worked out. I just replaced my exciter wire connector too because it was screwed up even thought it was still working. I haven't checked in on your build thread for a while. Gotta check in to see how its doing.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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