battery not charging

**Unfrozn** · 05-06-2007, 09:00 PM

I have a '99 WS6.

A few days ago I noticed my volt gauge on the dash reading VERY low. I have since bought a brand new battery...that wasn't the problem.

I also had the alternator bench tested (at two different auto parts stores just to make sure)...it checked out fine and dandy.

While I was removing the alternator I accidentally broke the wire (or couldn't tell if it was already cut) that runs to the oblong, four prong clip into the alternator...four prongs but only one wire. It broke so close to the clip that I had no wire to work with so I ended up buying a new clip, spliced it, and installed that...I thought for sure that was the problem...NOPE. The alternator is still not charging the battery. I even checked all the fuses.

Anyone, please offer some suggestions. I don't have the money to send it to a shop and have them poke around...I've been using my roommate's car who is in Iraq.

Thanks in advance.

***Ed Blown Vert*** · 05-06-2007, 09:37 PM

Most likely its that wire that isn't making a connection.

**0rion** · 05-06-2007, 09:53 PM

Do you have access to a volt meter? Put the volt meter across the battery terminals with the car running and it should read 14.4 volts. If not then you're not getting juice from the alternator and I would start working my way back from there. How confident are you in your splice job? I would maybe just run a completely new wire. Like Ed said, that's probably your problem.

**Unfrozn** · 05-06-2007, 10:47 PM

thanks a lot guys...I'll check into it...much appreciated

as far as the splice...all I did was use a plastic covered connect between the two loose ends and crimped both sides followed by electrical tape...pretty sure the wires are making a circuit.

**0rion** · 05-06-2007, 11:02 PM

Are you sure you got the wire on the right connector in the clip? I haven't paid much attention to that connector to be honest with you so I'm not entirely sure how it wires up. May want to look that wire over very closely while your at it. If it broke there it could've also broke somewhere else but the sheath could be hiding it.

**Unfrozn** · 05-07-2007, 03:57 PM

will check on that...that's what I've been thinking. Couldn't think of anything else. Thanks for your input.

**Unfrozn** · 05-10-2007, 08:34 AM

I couldn't find anything wrong so I finally broke down and took it to the shop. KRAGEN SUX! I had taken the alternator to two different Kragen stores to have it bench tested...two just to make sure. Ends up the alternator was shot, so the shop replaced it.

How could this have happened? I watched the Kragen employees put it on their testers and all four tests (two at each store) came back green. If I had known it was bad I would have saved $100 in labor...I'll NEVER shop there again!