2003 Oldsmobile Alero Charging problem

Tiny
DANIK2212
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 176,000 MILES
Hi, first of all thank you for helping me. Here's the problem, the battery's voltage drops while the cars is running. I'm using a brand new battery (in fact I tried 3 different batteries) and I just bought an alternator from a scrap yard. The guy there tested the alternator and told me it was charging at 14, 87 volts. I verified all the connections and the pulley and everything seems to be ok. All the electrical components in the car (radio, windows, door locks, lights, ect.) Are working. I checked every fuses in the three fuse boxes and none is broken.

Here are some things to consider:
- The car remained park for the winter outside but got started every here and then
- Because the car wasn't starting (battery was dead) I boosted my car, but I accidentally plug the wires backward on my old battery (red on black and black on red) and white smoke came out of my hood). I then changed the alternator and battery after.

My car:
2003 alero gl2
v6 3, 4L
stock tranny
stock everything
Sunday, April 18th, 2010 AT 10:29 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Did this new alternator and battery come after you crossed the wires?
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Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 AT 9:30 AM
Tiny
DANIK2212
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes they did, I did nothing wrong with the new alternator and battery
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Friday, April 23rd, 2010 AT 9:50 PM
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Yes this is obviously an electrical problem and I'm suspecting the ecm. In my experience crossed wires will short out the ecm. We will need to have it tested at a repair shop
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Saturday, April 24th, 2010 AT 6:27 AM

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