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2001 Mitsubishi Diamante Alternetor

Tiny
POLARMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Hi All,

I was towed off the freeway with a drained battery (car completely died), charging light had been on but I had not noticed. I bought a Bosch recon alternator and my local machanic fitted it a couple of days ago. Last night I left work and and noticed 5 minutes later that the charging light was on again. It died again within 30 minutes.

Could it be that the new alternator failed so quicklly or is there maybe another problem, could a faulty battery (2 year old Craftsman Gold) be the problem, I have noticed some reddish sticky looking liquid around the + terminal.

Any help would be greatly appreciated !
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Saturday, October 10th, 2009 AT 10:51 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
The battery needs to be good and fully charged BEFORE the new alternator is put to work. Test the battery this way and alternator this way, follow the links, and yes a reman alternator can be defective right out of the box!
https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/battery.htm
https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_test_alternator.htm
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Saturday, October 10th, 2009 AT 11:29 AM
Tiny
POLARMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Car actually started this morning although I could tell battery was low. Chargin light is now NOT lit. Tested battery while car off 12.30v, while idling 14.20v

Do not have an AMP meter to test current.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2009 AT 11:48 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Those numbers are OK. You might have an electrical draw, although if it starts some days and not other, it will be difficult to find, but here's what you need to do to find the draw:
https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_is_my_car_battery_dead_over_night.htm
Thanks for the point!
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+1
Saturday, October 10th, 2009 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
POLARMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The only thing about this which is strange is that the battery did not appear drained when I left work.
It was dark and I saw no problem starting or with the lights, it was just as if all of a suddent the car was not charging at all, from the point where I noticed the charging light on, it took around 40 minutes with headlights on to finally drain the battery completely !

Then as I said this morning first thing there was just enough in the battery to satrt again and since then I've driven it about 6 miles and no sign of the charging light.

I'm fairly positive it will happen again of course and i'm runing out of AAA tows.

I'm wondering if it could it be a bad connection form the alterator to the battery somewhere?
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Saturday, October 10th, 2009 AT 1:28 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Could be, chec the "B" terminal to see if it's tight, be carefull, if you ground it accidentally, you could trip a fuse, or burn out a fuse link, remove negative battery cable first. Also check the Generator relay in the under hood fuse box. And the #8 Fuse in the same box on the driver's side inner fender.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_1_37.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_2_35.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Gen_1.jpg

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Sunday, October 11th, 2009 AT 5:58 AM
Tiny
POLARMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Mike,

thanks very much for the suggestions and diagrams they have been extremely helpful and your very timely input is much appreciated !

I'll check the relay right away.

All the Best
Con
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Sunday, October 11th, 2009 AT 8:37 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Let us know how it goes.
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Monday, October 12th, 2009 AT 5:49 PM
Tiny
POLARMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I hate to even ask after all your help but other than trial and error I'm not sure which relay in the box is the generator relay !
The marking on the box is poor to say the least amd there are a bunch of relays in there, i've googled for over an hour and could not find a description of the relays only the fuses.

BTW charging light was on again when I started the car at work this evening, I had my meter and I measured just over 12 volts idling to validate that it was not charging.
I stopped, started the car once more, then on the third attempt the charging light went off.

I'm off to get a relay tomorrow if I can find one at the local parts store.
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Monday, October 12th, 2009 AT 10:06 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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I'm not having any luck finding an ID chart either, but any Mits dealer can show you which one it is.
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Friday, October 16th, 2009 AT 3:10 PM

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