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  #1  
Old 07-09-2014, 05:28 AM
steveherman steveherman is offline
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Charging System Help

I just got a new alternator.
I have done the v.4 alternator wiring upgrade.
The old alternator was charging according to advance but had a low output.
The new alternator is showing no output.
When bench testing both the alternators they tested good.
When I put a multimeter on the top post of the alternator it shows 12.5 volts at idle.
I am not sure where to start... any ideas???
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  #2  
Old 07-09-2014, 05:47 AM
Blacky Blacky is online now
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Re: Charging System Help

Where did you buy the alternator? It should put out around 14.2 volts. How old and what condition is your battery in?
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  #3  
Old 07-09-2014, 05:50 AM
steveherman steveherman is offline
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Re: Charging System Help

battery 3 months. tested fine at advance.
alternator purchased at advance.
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  #4  
Old 07-09-2014, 07:13 AM
Blacky Blacky is online now
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Re: Charging System Help

Is it the Advance ToughOne? Most likely it's faulty also. If you want to deal with Advance, I would try the Bosch alternator. It's only $8 more after the core charge is refunded.
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  #5  
Old 07-09-2014, 08:32 AM
steveherman steveherman is offline
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Re: Charging System Help

here the bosch is 35 dollars more.

the bench test said it was good....
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  #6  
Old 07-09-2014, 05:14 PM
92snowmachine 92snowmachine is offline
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Re: Charging System Help

i tried using advance for parts at the shop for a few weeks. i ended up replacing every single part i sold under warranty. i learned my lesson and sourced my parts elsewhere but ended up eating the cost of replacing cheap parts with quality ones. ....and advance just bought carquest.
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  #7  
Old 07-09-2014, 06:16 PM
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fasteract7 fasteract7 is offline
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Re: Charging System Help

Anecdotically, I had AA tell me my BMW alternator was up to snuff on their bench tester but when installed, put out 8 volts....some of the diodes were fried.
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  #8  
Old 07-14-2014, 03:37 PM
steveherman steveherman is offline
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Re: Charging System Help

They got me the bosch one for free.
But when the tested the other one they had an extremely hard time getting it to test at all.
They couldnt get the ground wire to ground the alternator... probably because of the coating they use on the alternator.
So I am wondering if alot of the alternator problems we have are caused by a not getting a good ground to the alternator.

Sooooo.... is there a good or better way to ground the alternator?
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  #9  
Old 07-14-2014, 08:56 PM
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svxcess svxcess is offline
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Re: Charging System Help

Quote:
Originally Posted by steveherman View Post
They got me the bosch one for free.
But when the tested the other one they had an extremely hard time getting it to test at all.
They couldn't get the ground wire to ground the alternator... probably because of the coating they use on the alternator.

So I am wondering if a lot of the alternator problems we have are caused by a not getting a good ground to the alternator.

Sooooo.... is there a good or better way to ground the alternator?
The case itself is grounded. The mounting bolts that secure the alternator to the bracket, and ultimately the engine, are more than adequate.

Running and additional 4 gauge ground wire from the battery negative terminal to the air conditioning bracket,as part of the wiring upgrade is a major benefit.



See the rest of the photos HERE
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R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

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  #10  
Old 07-15-2014, 05:16 AM
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huck369 huck369 is offline
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Re: Charging System Help

Make sure your crank pulley hasn't separated, put a paint mark across the front of it, to see if the inner and outer are separated ....
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  #11  
Old 07-15-2014, 05:40 AM
steveherman steveherman is offline
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Re: Charging System Help

Quote:
Originally Posted by svxcess View Post
The case itself is grounded. The mounting bolts that secure the alternator to the bracket, and ultimately the engine, are more than adequate.


I would mostly agree BUT if the coating is non conductive and it gets EVERYWHERE then the ground would be limited.
On the bench test getting it grounded was a HUGE TASK.
I have the wiring upgrade... and the alternator was not showing a charge.
When we were able to finally get it grounded it tested good.
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  #12  
Old 07-15-2014, 01:33 PM
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Re: Charging System Help

Than just take a wire brush or a drill and remove the coating from inside the mounting holes on the "ears" of the alternator. Or on the outside where the bolt and nuts contact the bracket.

I had my alternator case refinished in and aluminum-ceramic "cermakrome" process before rebuilding. Never had a conduction issue.

Why would ANY alternator rebuilder use a non-conductive coating on a grounded alternator case?.

I have been running a consistent 13.8V -14.2V and no problems in years.


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Subaru Ambassador

1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD

JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995.....
Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan

In-Service Date: January 2, 1997



"The Pristine Green Polo Machine”
First Polo Green on the Network
First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000)
First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007)
First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013)

HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler.


R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback

2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles.
Plenty of parts, service and windshields.


4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001

My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX .

.
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  #13  
Old 08-21-2014, 05:29 AM
steveherman steveherman is offline
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Re: Charging System Help

ok. i got the bosch installed.
i have 14.6 volts.
again had the tough one bench tested.
CONFIRMED THAT THE COATING ON ALTERNATOR WAS CAUSING ISSUES.
we tried grounding several times in several different areas.
wire brushed the alternator in a couple places that we tried to get ground...
when we did that we got good ground and EVERY TIME it tested good in those locations.
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  #14  
Old 08-21-2014, 05:46 AM
Blacky Blacky is online now
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Re: Charging System Help

Good deal on the Bosch. I'm glad it worked out. The grounding issue is something to watch for in the future.
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