2001 Chevy S-10 Charging system failure

TOYO03

MEMBER
2001 CHEVROLET S-10

Electrical problem
2001 Chevy S-10 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

Battery light came on and charging system gauge dropped below 12 volts. Replaced with new alternator and battery, system worked fine for a couple of weeks then went bad again. Took alternator to Checkers for replacement as was told that it was still good. Alternator was put back and system showed charging for about 2-5 minutes before battery light came back on and voltage gauge dropped below 12 volts again.
Attempted to check for power at single lead wire going into alternator and it shows no power at wire. Not sure what else to check? Fuses all good, not sure where relay is if there is one?

5 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check RDO Batt fuse no.19 15amp

Are you talking about the battery terminal of the alternator? Get back asap

Possible problem could be the computer controlled of the alternator field generation circuit

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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 AT 10:16 PM

TOYO03

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3 POSTS

Thank You for the quick response.

There are only two wires that connect to the alternator, the one being the battery terminal you are speaking of that connect to the back of the alternator and the other is a 16-18gauge wire that has a plastic casing that connects to the side which I believe is the regulator.

The one I mentioned about is NOT the battery wire but the 16-18 gauge wire that connects to the side.

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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 12:31 PM

RASMATAZ

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Sir, You need to have the computer alternator control and monitoring circuit checked out its integrated with car's computer.

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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 4:09 PM

TOYO03

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3 POSTS

I checked using an OBD II scanner and it showed there were no codes listed. Does this mean the scanner I am using is not adequate for this kind of check and need to see the dealer?

If so I guess that is all I can really do.

Thanks again and Aloha

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Saturday, February 7th, 2009 AT 12:42 AM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Sir, if there's no code/s for the charging system -you need to bring it in so that it can be checked with a special tester designed for this type of alternator CS130

CS130D (Charging System) series generator is rated at 100-amp output. See GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS. The "130" designation is outside diameter of stator laminations, measured in millimeters. CS series generators include a delta stator, rectifier bridge, voltage regulator, dual internal cooling fans, and rotor with slip rings and brushes. A built-in regulator incorporates fault detection circuitry. See Fig. 1.
Generator operates with 2 wire connections and a ground path through mounting bracket. First wire connection is BAT output terminal. This terminal must be connected to battery during operation. Second wire connection is connected from generator internal regulator lamp driver to Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Vehicle Control Module (VCM). This circuit monitors and controls generator operation.
Regulated voltage varies with temperature. System limits voltage by controlling rotor field current while field current is on. Regulator switches rotor field current on and off at a fixed frequency of 400 cycles per second to help control radio noise. By varying overall on/off time, correct average field current for proper system voltage control is obtained. At high speeds, with lower electrical loads, on-time may be 10 percent. At low speeds, with higher electrical loads, on-time may be as much as 90 percent.