Replaced battery, possible alternator replacement, anything else?
10-31-2013, 08:32 AM
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Replaced battery, possible alternator replacement, anything else? So Tuesday morning I go out to go to work and the car wouldn't start. Ended up being a bad battery (had it tested at the local parts store). Put a new battery in and that lasted a day. Today (being thursday) same thing happened. So im thinking its the altenator (but ill have that tested also just to make sure) since I havent changed it in about 4 years. Is there anything else that I should check out so Im not stranded again? This is my one and only car so I need fo get this fixed and do it right this time around.
10-31-2013, 07:56 PM
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Im actually going to try to pull the alternator at the local parts store before buying one. Im thinking its that, because it is a reman`d unit and its been a little over 4 years since i replaced it. Is it possible thta when i had the first battery that died on me, killed my alternator since it was working over time to recharge the battery?
11-01-2013, 08:30 AM
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I had a similar problem. If I let my car sit for over a day, the battery would be dead. For me it was the exciter wire being all corroded. It was so bad that when i flicked it, it broke in two. I just went to a local parts store and got a copper battery hole-crimp thingy (cant think of what its called ATM.) and crimped it to the exciter wire (after I cut the crappy stuff off) and it works fine 150 miles later.
In case you don't know what the exciter wire is, its the one that runs from the back of your alt (It is for me, yours might be a little bit different) to the positive battery terminal. Hope it works out for ya!
In case you don't know what the exciter wire is, its the one that runs from the back of your alt (It is for me, yours might be a little bit different) to the positive battery terminal. Hope it works out for ya!
11-01-2013, 11:12 AM
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The exciter/field wire is a small gauge wire with a weatherpack connector (on the top of the alternator case for the LS1s) that runs to the PCM. It provides initial current from the battery, via the PCM, to begin the charging process.
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11-01-2013, 02:46 PM
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Hopefully, what I end up with in that GM package will be that one, since I want Delphi parts over all else OEM.
Last edited by dailydriver; 11-01-2013 at 06:52 PM.
11-01-2013, 06:04 PM
#12
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You are aware you can take your vehicle to your local Advance auto and they will test your charging system for free. Helps troubleshooting better then throwing parts at it.
Best battery cable replacement is through AC Delco.
Best battery cable replacement is through AC Delco.
11-01-2013, 06:36 PM
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I've never seen one get fried. Usually the issue is that people aren't careful during alternator removal and they end up yanking it out of the connector. They can also get damaged from yanking on other wires that are part of the same bunch futher up on the harness.
11-01-2013, 06:47 PM
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I would have had to replace it anyway, and if I did not find it now, it would have ended up killing a brand new Die hard Platinum (Odyssey) I plan on installing this winter.
11-01-2013, 06:51 PM
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That is a little difficult to do when the nearest AA, AZ, or Pep Boyzz is almost 20 miles away, and the car is in your driveway and will not start/move.
I am NOT going to waste a AAA tow just to get it there, and then have to tow it back (which they WILL NOT do anyway).
11-01-2013, 07:11 PM
#16
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IF this was directed at me (sorry if it was not);
That is a little difficult to do when the nearest AA, AZ, or Pep Boyzz is almost 20 miles away, and the car is in your driveway and will not start/move.
I am NOT going to waste a AAA tow just to get it there, and then have to tow it back (which they WILL NOT do anyway).
That is a little difficult to do when the nearest AA, AZ, or Pep Boyzz is almost 20 miles away, and the car is in your driveway and will not start/move.
I am NOT going to waste a AAA tow just to get it there, and then have to tow it back (which they WILL NOT do anyway).
Its a parts store so towing it would be stupid, they can help diagnose, not fix it. But since you have to go to the parts store for a alternator or battery anyway why not jump start it and drive it up if that's the case, or you have this problem every few days as the OP stated its not hard to stop in and shed some light at the situation.
(FYI I live 24 miles out of town, I have never had the issue you stated)
11-01-2013, 10:50 PM
#17
It was directed to the OP....
Its a parts store so towing it would be stupid, they can help diagnose, not fix it. But since you have to go to the parts store for a alternator or battery anyway why not jump start it and drive it up if that's the case, or you have this problem every few days as the OP stated its not hard to stop in and shed some light at the situation.
(FYI I live 24 miles out of town, I have never had the issue you stated)
Its a parts store so towing it would be stupid, they can help diagnose, not fix it. But since you have to go to the parts store for a alternator or battery anyway why not jump start it and drive it up if that's the case, or you have this problem every few days as the OP stated its not hard to stop in and shed some light at the situation.
(FYI I live 24 miles out of town, I have never had the issue you stated)
.
11-01-2013, 11:26 PM
#18
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The OP also said it lasts a few days, Again its enough time to diagnose the car by taking it to a auto parts store.
11-03-2013, 07:22 PM
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Well i did figure it out and i gotta say, im pretty damn stupid on this one. Im guessing since i installed the new battery at night with only the security light on my parents house giving me less than adequate lighting, i must have put the terminal pole in slightly crooked which was giving me a bad connection. After getting the alternator tested and reinstalled, putting on a new belt (needed it anyways) and putting on brand new battery terminal bolts with dielectric grease, everything is back to normal. I guess it was me that was the problem. Never rush a job, even if its simple like this. SMH But needless to say, lesson learned. I appreciate all the helpful hints and tips from everyone though!