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Dave, This Is a follow up question to your last answer, On the back of my Paris Rhone Alternator there are 2 large wires that go on 1 terminal and a small green wire that goes on a separate terminal. The smaller wire does go into the harness with the 2 larger wires. I have cleaned all the wires, both on the starter and alternator. My alternator light still does not come on when I turn the ignition key to the on position, as I said, all the dash bulbs have been replaced with new ones.
Thank You,
Greg
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Hi Greg,
Yes, I'll help you. Any man on his third alternator has great patience!
I've found with alternator problems there are a various paths we might take to find and cure the problem, so the best way I've found is to take a step by step approach. This will mean writing back and forth to each other a few times.
If you're up to it, here we go:
Let's get our bearings straight and make sure our thinking is starting off at the same point.
1. Your battery must be in tip top shape to make these tests. If it's not reading close to 12.5-12.8 volts at rest, put it on a battery charger 'til it does.
2. Terminology: you mention 10 amps...I believe you mean 10 volts, right? You may have a new alternator rated at 70-100 amps, which means the power it is generating (or supposed to be generating), but we measure its effectiveness at the battery...and the battery measurements are always in volts. When at rest the battery reading should be 12.5-12.8 volts. When the alternator is working properly, the battery voltage will read 14-15 volts.
3.Could you verify what you see at the back of the alternator?
a. two wiring connections, one with a large gauge wire running to the starter and then the battery, or directly to the battery.. and the other connection for a smaller gauge wire. The smaller wire probably leaves the connecting point and goes into the harness with the larger wire, right? I'm sure the connections at the back of the alternator are good, after all, you've been practicing enough with the first two alternators...but you should duble check that connection at the starter. It'll be the large wire on the starter and that connection needs to be really clean and tight.
b. a round black button perhaps an inch or so in diamter held to the back of the alternator by it's own bracket and two screws.
c. opposite the black button is a casting in the case of the alternator that appears to have a tiny (1/4") hole, like to put a pencil in, right?
Write back to me with what you've found so far.
Dave
Dave, This is Greg from Virginia asking you another follow up question, I finally found someone who could test the Paris Rhone alternator and its only putting out 10 volts, my question is, could that be the problem why the alternator check light wont come on when I turn the key to the on position. Please e-mail me back as soon as you can.
Thank You,
Greg
AnswerSo...if I understand correctly, you were able to test the "new" alternator off the car and it only puts out 10 volts?
The answer to your question is: the output of the alternator should not have an influence on the warning light being off. In fact, the warning light should come on when you turn the key and stay on because the battery's never getting charged at the proper rate.
I suppose there is a small chance the problem with the new alternator which causes it to be defective could affect the warning light system, but I doubt it.
Dave
