alternator not getting power HELP ME pLEASE!

[claytonr]

My battery has always ran at 12.5 volts so I finally decided to get a new alternator got it all in and took off..went a few miles and all the lights started flashing and it shut off..the little red wire that plugs into it has not fire to it w/ key on or off...where does that wire go to I'm thinkin its crimped or busted or is there a fusable linkage?? Any advice will help!

[thearborbarber]

It's an exciter wire. You are going down the right road. If that wire is not hooked up or is broke your alternator will not charge.

[MNZ28]

First of all make sure all your connections are tight, battery, alternator,etc. I know it sounds simple but I have seen it a billion times, then check fuses.

[claytonr]

I checked all the plugins and connections and all of the fuses..we checked the wiring diagram at auto zone and it said that single small red wire is for the warning light only..which is why it wasn't reading w/ the test light..

[MNZ28]

will it start

[claytonr]

Ya barely when the battery is charged the car is running off battery only..volt meter shows 9 volts then it'll fluctuate up to 12 ish and bounce around then bak down to 9..I've tlalked to a few mechanics and they seem to think its the bettery..the battery tested good but said sometimes there will be a crossover or something that will make the alternator do funky shit..?

[MNZ28]

if it wont start check voltage on the battery. So then recharge it or whatever you have to do to get it to start. Cant autozone test the alternator and see if its good. Im guessing the alternator is bad, I dont know if you bought an ebay one or what, I m not sure if the alternator would actually have power to it when the cars not running. And also are you sure the belts on there good? If the belts on the alternator pulley check tension on the belt.

[MNZ28]

If the car was fine before you changed something in this case the alternator look at that first. Check the voltage reading of the battery when car is off. If its not at least 12v it will probably start like shit. Does the car still run/drive what is the exact problem now.

[DaddySS]

The small red lead to the PCM was working before, no reason it shouldn't work now. If the battery connections are clean and tight then your new alternator is probably bad.

[claytonr]

So get this..after about 5 people testing my system and giving me diagnostic advice my dad said maybe one of your battery cells is bad which can throw the alternator off and make it not work right..so I simply took my battery (red cap) out and put a stock battery in and its charging at 14!!!!

[MNZ28]

So get this..after about 5 people testing my system and giving me diagnostic advice my dad said maybe one of your battery cells is bad which can throw the alternator off and make it not work right..so I simply took my battery (red cap) out and put a stock battery in and its charging at 14!!!!

You probably could of found that out if you would of just checked the voltage on the battery.

[claytonr]

I did and it was at 12.5 with the car on and off? Then sometimes it would go to nine and bounce back up to 12?

[MNZ28]

put that battery back in just for shits and giggles.

[claytonr]

I have it charging on low..I will later

[MNZ28]

I was just joking bro, but maybe keep it as a back up

[Smittro]

Bad stater...

[claytonr]

Nah its an optima they have warrantý plus I can pull strings at some local shops so ill have a brand new one tomorrow