QuestionMy daughter bought a ‘99’ Chrysler cirrus; we have had it less then a month. The battery idiot light started coming on a couple of days ago. The car will idle with the battery idiot light on, but if I put a load on it, like turning on the headlights, the car will die. We took it to an auto parts store, and the guy put a tester on the battery terminals. The tester told him the battery was not charging, and he pointed to the alternater. So I changed the altrnater, but the battery idiot light still comes on, the symptoms are the same. In addition, I took the core back, had it tested, and it’s fine. The guy said it’s as good as a new one. Now what.
Thanks
Bill Maurey
AnswerHi Bill,
One possibility is in the subject of your question: 'fusible link'.
In the connection between black/gray wire at the alternator and + terminal of the battery there is indeed a fusible link. So my first thought would be to check that contiunity to be sure the fusible is not blowm.
Another possibility is that the voltage regulator wire from the engine control module (pcm) to the field coils of the alternator is open. That would be the dark green wire that connects to pin 8 of the pcm. Verify it it continuos.
Finally would be the 12v field coil supply wire from the automatic shut down relay to the alternator is open. Check that dark green/orange wire similarly by going to the power distributrion box, the rear section of which is down a step and hidden under the air intake duct to the engine throttle body, where you will find four relays. The front inboard relay is the ASD. Pull the ASD relay and measure for continuity between the socket pin that is outboard (89) and the dark green/orange wire at the alternator.
It those 3 wires all are conducting, then the alternator should put out sufficient voltage to turn off the warning light. If not, then the voltage regulation function of the pcm may be bad.
I suspect the fusible link so check that line first.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer.
