09-09-2018, 10:35 AM | #1 |
Drives: 2013 2SS M6 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 76
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Electrical woes: Alternator? Starter? Short?
Less than a year ago, I purchased a new battery for my car. A couple of weeks ago, that battery died and I replaced it with a new one. My car had trouble turning over for a few days before it couldn't even make it one full revolution. Thinking it was the alternator, I got a jump and took the car to Autozone to get tested.
They hooked their tester up, and the tester showed a bad battery. Unlikely, but it's under warranty and free to replace, so I did that. They gave me a new battery off the shelf. It wouldn't turn one full revolution again. They used their tester, which again showed a bad battery. Then they took another battery off the shelf, tested it as good, and then I put it in my car. The car started fine and I drove home. This morning the car started and I drove around for a bit, but noticed some odd behavior: according to the voltage gauge on the 4-pack cluster, the battery had 13 volts when I started. Then after a few seconds of idling, it dropped to 11 or so, then went back to 12.5. I drove around while watching the gauge and it fluctuated between 12.5 and 14, but didn't seem to be in relation to RPM. Most of these symptoms scream "bad alternator". Except that A) their tester showed the alternator was fine, and B) the car wouldn't start with one brand new battery. Maybe their tester is full of shit and one of the batteries they gave me was bad? What do you guys and girls think?
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2013 2SS M6 - Custom cam w/ miscellaneous valvetrain upgrades, ported heads, longtubes, CAI, CTS-VR lifters, Forza NPP exhaust controller - 500hp/460tq
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09-09-2018, 12:41 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: California
Posts: 65
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If your voltage gauge is dropping below 12.5 then the battery is having to provide energy to power the systems in the car.
So I'd say it's the alternator not giving enough juice to take over for the battery. Or your connection from the battery to the car is faulty somewhere. Maybe go to another place to get the alternator tested? Cause your battery will eventually go dead again. |
09-09-2018, 02:33 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 1,220
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Check your grounds. Chances are they are NOT truly tight. I had this happen on a 05 ram. literally one ugga dugga and all issues went away.
Also, engine ground SUCKS.
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•2011 Camaro SS 2SS/RS A6
•MRR M017 1le Replica Wheels •Vararam Ram Air Intake •Speed Engineering Longtube Headers w/ Magnaflow HF Cats •Bo White PnP Stage 2 TB •GPI SS2 VVT Cam w Cometic thin gaskets 10.69 compression •Xpipe w/ Res Delete and NPP Exhaust •Tuned By Anonymous Calibrations •Gen5DIY Mylink Conversion W/ Backup Cam •Morel 3 way custom speakers, Infinity 860w Subwoofers in trunk baffle •Helix P6 6ch amp w/ 8ch DSP and P1 Sub amp |
09-11-2018, 10:11 AM | #4 |
Drives: 2013 2SS M6 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 76
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UPDATE:
I removed everything electrical I've done to the car and the problem seems to have gone away. I won't know for certain until the car sits for a couple of days, but I'll update later. I went ahead and bought an alternator ($230+$20 S&H) for reassurance.
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2013 2SS M6 - Custom cam w/ miscellaneous valvetrain upgrades, ported heads, longtubes, CAI, CTS-VR lifters, Forza NPP exhaust controller - 500hp/460tq
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09-11-2018, 11:42 AM | #5 | |
ILSQ
Drives: '13 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Flatlands
Posts: 322
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Quote:
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Way too many mods to list, and just getting started...
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09-11-2018, 12:09 PM | #6 | |
Drives: 2013 2SS M6 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 76
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Quote:
* MSD 2-Step launch controller * Dashcam hardwire kit * Forza Componenti exhaust controller The exhaust controller is the only thing that receives power from an always-on fuse, but according to the manufacturer, it receives a minuscule amount of power. As in, if you drive the car at least once a month, it won't be a problem.
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2013 2SS M6 - Custom cam w/ miscellaneous valvetrain upgrades, ported heads, longtubes, CAI, CTS-VR lifters, Forza NPP exhaust controller - 500hp/460tq
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11-20-2018, 03:48 PM | #7 | |
Drives: 2013 Black 2SS Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hendersonville, TN
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Don't even know where to start. Starter and Alternator don't sound like the issue. I just replaced the battery 4 months ago (mainly due to the mis-start issue). All my connections are tight. Guess I'll have to look and see if wires got fried somewhere underneath or in the bay. Still doesn't make sense to be completely dead. |
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11-20-2018, 05:46 PM | #8 |
Drives: camaro Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 149
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I have an extra alternator if you diagnose that to be the issue. less thank 10k miles and an OEM sealed unit (not aftermarket rebuit junk). I'll take 100+ ship. I'm not running the e38 ecm so the alternator is not going to work for my build.
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1969 pro street
heads/cam/blown/meth 408 LS |
11-20-2018, 06:00 PM | #9 | |
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Tags |
alternator, battery, short, starter |
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