Bones
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Mid Missouri
I am having an issue with my '91. I see an almost constant overcharge situation now. It hovers around 16-16.9V which is just into the red zone on the gauge. It is worse when the engine is cold, but only settles to just under the red zone when warm. The volt reading comes not only from the high gauge but also from the volt meter in my CB radio.
I have yet to see an error code in the ECM, though I have noticed a popping sound in my sub amp couple of times when the voltages is at its highest (which is a great test to see how fast one can shut down a stereo system!).
I do have a bearing whine coming from the front of the motor at idle. To be honest I don't know if it's the water pump (HESCO unit), the power steering pump (relatively new), the idler (again relatively new), or the alternator. It is inaudible at start up but gets louder when the engine warms.
A recent alt. test showed "normal diode function" though we saw a big voltage draw, then spike from somewhere in the system (it was an "on vehicle" test) where the voltage when from about 11.5 to 16.9 in an instant.
I wasn't sure if some of the electrical problems I have been having of late were due to a faulty battery. The problems were mostly related to what seemed like low voltage when the engine wasn't running (door locks not working well, dim lights etc.).
I replaced the battery today and cleaned the battery cables. The low voltage stuff seems improved but I still see the high volt condition remain.
I guess the next step is to R&R the alt. and hope it's a switching problem, but what's the chance this is in the ECM?
Will finishing up my Mobi-Arc/Powermaster welder take care of the charging problem if it is the ECM since it assumes control of the charging system?
I hate electrical probs. Spent half the day fighting with the security system as it went into a no-start mode for some reason. I hope it's to do with the charging problem at this point.
Thanks,
Bones :skull1:
I have yet to see an error code in the ECM, though I have noticed a popping sound in my sub amp couple of times when the voltages is at its highest (which is a great test to see how fast one can shut down a stereo system!).
I do have a bearing whine coming from the front of the motor at idle. To be honest I don't know if it's the water pump (HESCO unit), the power steering pump (relatively new), the idler (again relatively new), or the alternator. It is inaudible at start up but gets louder when the engine warms.
A recent alt. test showed "normal diode function" though we saw a big voltage draw, then spike from somewhere in the system (it was an "on vehicle" test) where the voltage when from about 11.5 to 16.9 in an instant.
I wasn't sure if some of the electrical problems I have been having of late were due to a faulty battery. The problems were mostly related to what seemed like low voltage when the engine wasn't running (door locks not working well, dim lights etc.).
I replaced the battery today and cleaned the battery cables. The low voltage stuff seems improved but I still see the high volt condition remain.
I guess the next step is to R&R the alt. and hope it's a switching problem, but what's the chance this is in the ECM?
Will finishing up my Mobi-Arc/Powermaster welder take care of the charging problem if it is the ECM since it assumes control of the charging system?
I hate electrical probs. Spent half the day fighting with the security system as it went into a no-start mode for some reason. I hope it's to do with the charging problem at this point.
Thanks,
Bones :skull1: