DECIM8

Hey everyone,

Firstly Hi to everyone... new member here! Long time lurker first time poster.

I have a rather strange problem with my FD, its a JDM 2000 model and is in Australia.

I have an issue with the car not charging. Originally I thought something was not connected as the warning lights had been on. After diagnosing that this must be a cluster problem I left it be and took the car for a spin to run the coolant through.

I BROKE DOWN! I managed to clutch kick it a few times to get it moving but after 3 times I gave up as it went less distance every time. I was honestly shitting myself each time. I knew it was battery related so was worried about running lean with no power, no injectors and fuel pump! Im not sure if thats correct thinking though.

I ended up getting another battery via taxi and drove it back on 12v as I did when I left with a brand new battery. Thank god I didnt get a dry cell!

So first symptoms...

• Oil, Coolant and Charge light all illuminated.
• After driving and exhausting the battery to close to empty results in 4WBrakes and Airbag light warnings illuminating. Obviously they arnt getting a signal any more.
• Car will then splutter and die after fighting for life.
• Battery displays CHARGE sign (on the battery indicator, first time ive seen a use for it) The most important point with this and all the other warning lights is that they appear when the car is in Ignition mode so no engine at all! Oil, water and charge all stay illuminated while 4WB and Airbag go away. Could this mean its cluster related?
• Constant voltage on PFC is 11.7 - 12v which means the battery is running all accessories.
• Radio will turn off when I brake due to power sucking for them.
• What I did before this happened.

Installed shift light
I have disconnect the ground and also the RPM signal for this to check if it was causing the issue. seems not. (I have just noticed that this wire is very thin and I may have cut a few strands from it. Could it be the issue?
Its fairly clear I have not caused a drain as the car still dies when the engine is on.

Replaced radiator with a koyo.
Cant see this being a problem, could I check the front end fuses for anything?

Checked plugs on the alternator, which I assume has to be the problem otherwise I would have a battery which works. I had a glance and pushed around a few things to attempt to get it to work. End result was dead battery again.

Can anyone suggest what to do? I also sent a PM to Sim Rx3 in hope his know how can help. Lets hope its not a dead alternator.

P.S I will buy a multi meter tonight and run some tests, can anyone suggest what to test for? I.e what terminals to test.

Thanks
Nathaniel

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Does the "hang a screwdriver near the back" trick still work? On older alternators, you'd just hold the handle on a regular to large screwdriver and let the tip get near the back of the alternator at the shaft.

If the tip was drawn to the alternator, magnetism, the alternator was good.

Mario III

DECIM8

Its worth a try, Ill prob also try a multi-meter from the neg terminal to the positive power on the alternator. I assume this will work

DECIM8

Well I tested the cable which runs from the alternator to battery and it seems that the alternator is dead. I have located another and swap it out to see if it ammends the issue.

RotaryRocket88

iTrader: (7)

It seems you've already figured it out, but a bad voltage regulator (in the alternator), or loose cable on the B-post will cause this.

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Well, you got that one figured out but don't be a stranger since you're all registered and everything...put up some pics of the car when you got the time.

DECIM8

Well I changed the Alternator, this one is over charging. Perhaps my wiring is the issue or perhaps both are rooted. They said its ok?!

Could it be the plug on the alternator which is not sending the signal that its charging too high? How can I test the voltage from this wire?

Oh... and as requested.

RotaryRocket88

iTrader: (7)

What voltage are you measuring? Ideal is about 14.1 to 14.4 vdc.

The plug on the alternator doesn't carry a signal; it's power for the voltage regulator and an output wire for something like the warning lights (or at least on an FC). I'm not sure if the FD uses this second wire for the same thing, but I have an FD alternator on my car hooked up in his manner. If voltage is low or high, it's the voltage regulator's fault.

DECIM8

Seems this is not the case, The charge light must be hooked up for the alternator to work. It prevents it over charging. It excites the diodes I think.

Does anyone know the path of this wire White/Black stripe once it gets to the plug terminal next to the battery? Does it travel through to the ecu or around and up to the dash? I cant find a diagram which shows me it leads to the ecu so Im very baffled.

Please help, prefer not to pay a auto elec cause I know its going to be an easy fix.