Alternator not charging why?

Tiny
BRINDLEDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I've got an RV on a 1990 Chevy G30 chassis, V8 gasoline engine. In past two years I've had 3 alternators. Same issue each time- vehicle won't start, get a jump, engine will go, but battery won't charge. New battery, new alternator, after a short while (probably once battery charge has gone), same problem again. The dash gauges also freeze. Finally an RV repair guy accidentally discovered a burned out fuse. Replaced it and it seemingly fixed the charging issue.
But after being in storage 4 months, battery was dead. I jumped it, but same problems again. Battery not being charged and dash gauges out. I checked fuses and found the 20A fuse for gauges was burned out. However, when I put new fuse in there, fuse panel makes a buzzing sound similar to when keys are left in ignition after vehicle shut off. Tried a couple new fuses- each time that noise started. Put burned out fuse back in just to see what happens, and no noise.
I don't want to spend a bunch of money on mechanics that will say it's the alternator. I know it's not because this happens even after a new alternator installed. There is something electrical going on, but nobody seems to know how to find anything more complicated than a bad battery these days. Help!
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
4DRTOM
  • MECHANIC
  • 467 POSTS
Hi,
I would go right to the same fuse that went bad the first time. Jump starting it maybe burning it out.
Tom
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FACTORYPILOT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
Alternator not charging. Changed alternator with no change. A+ wire to alternator reads 12.5V with key off. After starting engine, voltage went down to 6V. When I jumper a wire from battery to alt. It works fine. Question where does the red wire from the Alt. A+ terminal go? The tilt steering column was just removed to tighten the 3 bolts that work loose after time. Could this problem be related to that work? I see a purple wire on starter sol. And no red wires on terminal strip on firewall. I am afraid this red wire is loose or has a bad connections somewhere but can't find where it goes. A schematic would be helpful.

I just turned on the key and got the Bat. Warning light with the Volt meter showing about 10 v. When I started the engine the Lt. Went out and it started charging normally. Tried the same thing again with the same results, so now it is intermittent. Thanks for the schematic. Now I think I can trace things out and maybe find the problem.

When I put the cover back on the junction block at the back of the engine bay, (which loads the wires a little) the alternator would not come on line again. Also voltage at the battery was about 12.5 and at the alt. Terminal was 10.7. Thinking I might have a fuseable link that was causing high resistance, I disconnected the battery neg, and was going to check the wire to the alternator for resistance. When I put a socket on the nut it took no resistance to turn it. Turned out someone had once hooked up another lug and wire with fuse holder for a trailer brake or something to the same terminal and had evidently left it slightly loose. All of the other nuts were tight. I cleaned the connections, put a star washer under the nut and tightened it down, reinstalled the cover and it works fine now. Thanks for the wire diagram with color codes.
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,542 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like a connection problem somewhere in the wiring harness. Here is a full diagram (below) of the alternator wiring that you will need to get the problem fixed.

Also here is a guide to help with the testing, check for power everywhere in the system

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBAKEG
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 1985 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 7.4L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 74,000 MILES
Hello im having a charging problem with my truck the alternator is putting out 12 volts and so is the battery I replaced the alternator 3 times and its still not charging right I replaced the battery and same thing if I take off the pos battery when its running it shows the alternator is then putting out 15 volts but as soon as I hook it back up it then shows only 8 volts and if I turn the head lights on it drops as low as 6 volts the alternator I bought is a cheap one and says its suppose to put out 63 amps im thinking the the original alternator that was on the truck was bigger and putting out more amps I guess my question is is it possibe that this alternator just aint big enough thank you
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check items in pic these are on the starter and I'd bet on eof them is burnt up and not sending power they should have the same on like 12volts on both sides. They are available at auto parts. If you look on alternator it will be stamped or etched as to how many amps it has on the case by where you bolt it in.
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBAKEG
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Thank you the alternator that is on it now the new one is a 63 amp and according to Chevrolet dealer it came out with a 78 amp alternator so there is a 15 amp diff but would that 15 amp difference be enough to cause this thank again
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBAKEG
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Also I took the positive cable off the battery and I used one of those meter things lol and it was showing 12 amps coming up to the battery cable
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The 15 amp difference isn't goin g to make a big difference unless you have a lot of power items like seats rear defogger etc and or maybe pulling a trailer. Just check what I said becais e those fusible links won't send power to alternator to make it work if they are burnt and I thin they may be.
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBAKEG
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I checked all the fusible links they all look good I checked all fuses there good the other day I turned on the headlight and the radio went off I turned the lights off and it came back on that's a new one lol. Also the other day when we was checking everything with the volt meter we was starting the engine checking things and of course turning it off to check stuff again and had no problems starting it up. So I started home which is about 4 miles I stopped for gas and it wouldn't start like the battery was dead so I got a jump and it fired right up got home and shut it off and nothing acted like the battery was dead again so the next morning I went to put a charge on the battery thinking it was dead when I hooked it up it was 100% charged so I went to start it and it fired right up lol
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Ant LOOK at a fusible link you have to use either a test light or volt meter to see if power is going through it. Should be same voltage on both sides I'd bet this is your problem cause it's not charging.
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBAKEG
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Ok this is strange it started missing so I put a new cap and rotor on it with new spark plug wires runs great and its charging again what does a tune up have to do with the charging system I drove it and it went straight up to 14 volts even with the head lights on stays at 14 volts where it should be lol
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Hard telling it cold be a wiring issue because of age.
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBAKEG
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I unplugged the alternator and tested the 2 terminals on the alternator there is a number 1 and 2. Number 1 which the red wire goes two im getting nothing and the number 2. Brown wire goes to its shows 0.01 if I bring up the rpm it goes as high as 0.50 so I plugged it back in you can hear the alternator kicking is so I tested them plugged in and the red wire #2 its showing 12.3 volts. The brown wire #1 12.8 volts now with that unplugged should I be getting something from both those terminals on the alternator itself
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The brown wire does have power and it shuts the light out. I still think there is afusible link problem. There may be two that run off of the starter but onemore in the harness running down the intake to the alternator. If you can't find it have a pro look at it. And make sure your battery is in good shape even if it is new, doesnt' mean it's good. Autoparts can test it. But I really think you have short in system causing your problem due to age. Either that or your fusible links are hanging on by one or two strands and don't let the power go through them like it shold and causes this.
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:55 PM (Merged)

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