power problem

[tommyboy]

update?

[e30 gangsta]

thats it same thing happend to me.

[StereoInstaller1]

An alternator charges the battery by producing higher voltage than the battery. If you are at 12.5 V with the car off, your alternator will likely produce 13.5 or more. Typical of Automotive Alternators is 14.4 V.

GL, HTH,
Luke

[Il Duce]

update?

i've been procrastinating on changing the alternator because

a.) i'm not sure if i have the correct spare alternator
b.) not sure if the alternator is the problem


i'm very confused.

[Il Duce]

went out to the garage today to take a look at the car, and replace the alternator, and i used my keyless entry to unlock the car, but it didnt unlock, i had to open it w/ a key. needless to say, the car would not start. grrrrrrr. something is draining the power, but i have no idea what it could be! i just put a new battery in the car.

[Il Duce]

well, the problem turned out to be my voltage regulator, and now i'm having the exact same symptoms.


ugh. anyone have any ideas as to why my voltage regulator keeps going bad? do i have a bad JC chip or something? this is really getting annoying.

[MR 325]

do i have a bad JC chip or something? this is really getting annoying.

The chip has nothing to do with the charging system AFAIK.

[Sean]

The chip has nothing to do with the charging system AFAIK.

Possible short in wiring somewhere? Not enough to drain system, but overwork alternator?

[Brew]

Did you replace just the voltage regulator or the entire alternator?

Check your voltage @ idle again.

[DanGillan]

do a drain test see if anything is drawing power while the car is off. it has to be your alternator man, just swap that thing out for a brand new one and i bet your problems go away. there's really not much it could be. did you check all your battery and or stereo power connections? make sure ALL the terminals are tight on the alternator, starter, batter, check all your grounds, just go over the basics, it really cant be anything complicated, dont over think it.