1994 Chevy Lumina charging problems

ROSSCO

MEMBER
1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

My 94 lumina APV is not charging. Changed alternator, checked volts and amps at alternator - putting out 15v and 35 amps. Checked battery, grounds and all leads, checked to make sure power was going to starter and solenoid, this was all ok. This is an intermittent problem which comes and goes. When not charging my ABS light stays on, daytime driving lights stay out and my heater fan will not work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

5 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,750 POSTS

I would first look closely at the fuse junction block under the hood, try wiggling wires and harnesses and see if you can get the condition to happen, sounds definately like a wiring problem. Check harness where it goes through the firewall. Check power feed at starter motor.

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Saturday, February 9th, 2008 AT 6:16 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Could be a wiring problem or the computer

Its a computer controlled voltage regulator see below

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Saturday, February 9th, 2008 AT 6:22 PM

ROSSCO

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I have checked the power at the starter motor and it has power, wiggled all wires and and all wiring harnesses and checked where it comes through the firewall. No broken wires, but now it will not charge at all. It will start but not put a charge into the battery. I did find a fusible link which appears to be connected to the bottom of the starter, and this link does not have any power when checked with a test light, with ignition turned on and off.

Where is the fuse junction block located at and what does it look like?

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Sunday, February 10th, 2008 AT 3:39 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

A fusible link should always have power its not controlled by a switch

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Sunday, February 10th, 2008 AT 4:01 PM

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,750 POSTS

Replace the fusible link and your problem will be solved. But make sure the wire is not chafed against ground anywhere, usually it burns out from there being a short somewhere, or the bad alternator could have caused the link to burn out.