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Problem with my car (still). Long read, but the mystery is worth it. (1999 Chevy Cavalier)?

Alright, so I'm extending this out into the Magical Land of Semi-answers, and (possibly) smarter people. Last week the starter went out in my car. I replaced the starter, at which point the battery didn't have enough charge to turn the starter and start the engine.

Replaced the battery.

The car started and I drove Wednesday and Thursday, on the way home from school Thursday the car died, battery was run dead. Lead me to believe the Alternator was bad, removed the alternator had it tested at Advanced Auto and the Alternator was no good.

Replaced the alternator.

The battery light on the dash came on Saturday after I replaced the Alternator, I thought maybe the alternator was no good. I removed the alternator and took it to Advanced and they did a bench test. The bench test on the alternator came back fail. Was going to swap the alternator for a new one had them test the new one, it came back fail also. They checked the tester and tightened the belt, tested the new alternator again, came back pass, tested the alternator (the one I thought was no good) it also came back pass. Reinstalled the alternator and checked the voltage with a voltage meter. The voltage from the battery was just under 12.5. Within normal. The voltage coming from the Alternator is less than 1 volt. Hoping that maybe the belt was worn out and causing slippage, I replaced the serpentine belt and checked the voltage again, again the voltage on the battery was just under 12.5 and the alternator came back less than 1 volt.

I am at a complete loss, any car guru's out there have any advice? Because at this point I'm out of money to through at the car and try and fix it. Come all ye sages. Help a brotha out.

Update:

I'm going to pick mark as the best answer, but I feel I should tell everyone I am an idiot. When I was reattaching my starter, I didn't attach the ground wire. I'm dumb. That's three days wasted on a monumental oopsie. Thanks mark.

3 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Liar! Reading this was so not worth it. LOL

    okay so you tested the alternator and it was only putting out 1V. Was the alternator under a load to where it needed to be putting out more? The alternator only "kicks" on when then battery falls under a certain threshold like for example 11.9V. Turn on the headlights and stuff to make the alternator kick on and then check the output voltage.

    Source(s): 30 yrs home mech and Mech Eng
  • 8 years ago

    POWER WASH the negine with GUNK Orange to remvoe ROAD SLAT which can interfere with proepr charging and more. >>>Th4ere are THREE parts to charging system! the BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR and the VOLTAGE REGULATOR! When I buy REBUILT alternators, I INSIST upon GENUIN BOSCH rebuilds They have a HIGHER standard and I neverr have trouble with them FIRST time, second time, or ANY time. MOSt REGULATORS are built INTO the back of the alternator. ANd many batteries are VERY cheaply made any more. POWer wash BATTERY CABLES at bhoth ends and DOUBLE check the GROUND cable. ROAD SALT can RUIN that BASIC connection very easily. POWER wash the ALTERNATOR and the starter and the WHOLE engine bay! GOOD LUCK to you! USe a SMALL File and clean the WIRING CONNECTOR! it may have CORROSION in it and the connection is stil BAD! good luck to you all!

  • 8 years ago

    Sounds like a wiring issue where the wires plug into the voltage regulator. Take it to a qualified shop that has the 'pin-out' information of the alternator wiring, and the ability to test each pin to verify connection, voltage and continuity. Possibly just needs a new alternator pig-tail which is not highly uncommon, or expensive! Good luck.!

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