QuestionQUESTION: My alternator is only putting out 10+v last week it was showing 12+ I just replaced the battery, is the alt dieing?
Thanks
ANSWER: Hi Terry,
It could well be the alternator or possibly a wire that controls it. Some auto parts stores will check it out. If you tell me the year/engine/model I can tell you the wire to check if you have a volt-ohm meter.
Roland
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QUESTION: LOL sorry, thats why you couldn't answer the last person who asked the same question.
97 voyager LE 3.3L 2wd lots of power stuff. Engine light also comes on every now and then.But goes out if you stop and restart. Last week before I replaced the battery it showed that it was putting out 12+ volts when running well.
ANSWER: Hi Terry,
The check engine light is probably a separate problem related to the engine controller detecting a fault, but the fault code may well be the issue of the alternator voltage being low (which would cause a fault code #P1682). Try turning the key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window to see if the mileage reading changes to show that code or any other code.
On the low voltage, it may be that the output wire of the alternator, which has a fuse that is 'wire-like' which is called a 'fusible link (dark green in color near the battery + post) is blown so check to see if there is continuity in the red wire between the battery and alternator to begin with. Then check that you have continuity between the dark green orange wire at the alternator and pin 6 of the pcm, and that you have continuity between the dark green wire at the alternator and pin 4 of the pcm. If all that checks out then I would suspect that the alternator has gone bad. Many parts stores will test the alternator for free, which is the remaining possibility as to why you have low voltage. Of course check too that the belt that drives the alternator is not loose and slipping.
Roland
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QUESTION: Oops made a mistake, it's a 95 not 97 my last one was a 97 :(
Fuse link feels good and solid, not limp like a noodle. There is continuity between the pos cable and the alt end. Where are the pins on the PCM? underneath? When I pull the top off there are only fuses, my manual doesn't show either.
Mine has analog gauges, the only LED panel is on the cieling wich shows temp average fuel, elapsed mileage etc. Nothing changes on it when you do the on off bit three times.
AnswerHi Terry,
The code readout uses the same ignition key routine but instead you watch the check engine light on the cluster, which remains 'on', to see it begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to be sure of an accurate set of flash counts. Combine the counts in pairs in the order of appearance to form the 2-digit fault code numbers. Then go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code list. Code 47 would simply corroborate a low voltage output from the alternator. Let me know of any others.
The pcm is on the left inner fender, in front of and slightly below the power distribution box. It has a 60-way plug, and the wires that I described earlier are at pins 57 and 20, respectively.
Roland
