Alternator is good but not charging battery
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Alternator is good but not charging battery
The battery light came on when I was driving to get the car inspected. I got to the shop, he inspected the car and told me the alternator was bad. So I put a rebuilt one on today from NAPA. The battery is still not charging. Before I go crazy looking for the problem. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have a 94 Vette. Thanks
#3
Have the battery tested might have a dead cell or just low on fluid
#6
#7
The battery light came on when I was driving to get the car inspected. I got to the shop, he inspected the car and told me the alternator was bad. So I put a rebuilt one on today from NAPA. The battery is still not charging. Before I go crazy looking for the problem. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have a 94 Vette. Thanks
#8
Racer
Thread Starter
check the fusible link. it's an orange wire going to the fuse box on the fire wall behind the battery coming out of the wire harness from the alternator. You may have to open the harness a little to see if it burned threw. It's just a piece of higher gauge wire designed to melt before the wire harness does. Mine went and I only discovered it after new battery and alternator. My theory is the volt regulator went in the alternator sending a surge that melted the link
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
check the fusible link. it's an orange wire going to the fuse box on the fire wall behind the battery coming out of the wire harness from the alternator. You may have to open the harness a little to see if it burned threw. It's just a piece of higher gauge wire designed to melt before the wire harness does. Mine went and I only discovered it after new battery and alternator. My theory is the volt regulator went in the alternator sending a surge that melted the link
#11
If by chance it's the smaller gauge "red" wire then the FL would be M3 or 16G.
Last edited by WVZR-1; 09-09-2015 at 07:18 PM.
#12
#13
Safety Car
Umm....is anyone else wondering why the fusible link did its job? Those don't just fry up for no reason. Did the old alternator have a "short to ground" that caused that link to blow or is there another issue?
#14
Should he check the charging system? One would think
#15
Racer
Thread Starter
I'm hoping it was the old alternator that caused it. I will have the system checked after I put the new wire on.
#16
Racer
Thread Starter
There's a pair of FL from the alternator. If the FL that's burnt is from the large M8 charge wire it's M3 or a 12G is considered a good substitute. FL needs to be a specific length (generally 6 - 9") long, an auto parts store should have a 12G with the ring terminal already crimped. 12G very popular for most FOMOCO applications. Try NAPA or a "first line" AP, some chain AP may be able to help.
If by chance it's the smaller gauge "red" wire then the FL would be M3 or 16G.
If by chance it's the smaller gauge "red" wire then the FL would be M3 or 16G.