Snorkelface

After finally getting the car running, it started dying shortly after startup. I found the new battery was very low on voltage.

The terminal labeled "batt" is routed to the positive power distribution block. I also have a ground wire going from a mounting bolt to the negative battery terminal. Is this right? Should I instead route the positive cable directly to the battery if possible?

Also, can I test the alternator with a volt meter by touching the positive lead to that "batt" terminal on the alternator and negative to a ground to check for 14V?

Snorkelface

So a update to this, a multimeter on the batt stud on the alternator, and it was putting out 14V, but it's not making it to the battery. Is it wired up wrong?

hrcslam

You have a break in the charging wire between the battery and alternator. Verify a good ground from the alternator case to the battery negative. Check for continuity between the battery terminal (not volatge) of the alternator and battery. Also check voltage at the signal wire that comes from the pcm to the bottom of the alternator.

Snorkelface

Okay, I'll check how to check for continuity, and look for another spot to ground off of other than the grounding bolt.

Also, just to verify, when then car is running, I should see 14V at the positive battery terminal as well, correct?

hrcslam

Close to it. It should read higher than with the car off.

shbox

Your positive battery cable should go to 3 places, starter, alternator, red junction block.

Snorkelface

The connection from the alternator how mine is goes to the junction box. So, I should reroute that going directly to the positive terminal on the battery then?

shbox

That's the way it came from the factory. Better to have it this way. Less connections.

Snorkelface

Gotcha. I wasn't sure if the shop changed that. Thanks again!