VZ sv6 alternator problem, Lost all charge while driving

[exellerant]

hey guys,

so yesterday i had a random check alternator warning come up on the screen. after doing some research here i followed the diagnostics screen and found the voltage at the time to be around 14v. think i hovered around 13.7-13.9 with lights stereo on.

driving home from work this morning, lights and stereo on, i got the check warning again, followed by my ABS faulting out and airbags faulting out, shortly followed by me losing all my dash power (speedo, fuel etc) then the car died, tried to restart but got the dreaded click click click.

ive been reading on here about charging issues, from what ive seen the VZ alternator doesnt have a regulator that can be changed and is controlled by the PCM?

so basically just after some ideas where i should be looking, either alt or PCM computer issues.

[henrytad]

i had a similar problem about a month ago, and it turned out to be just a loose rusted main ground wire which had almost come off the chassis. the vz alternator is electronically regulated and i have never heard of a problem with it. did you try jump starting it off a healthy car to see if that makes a difference? it could be a fauly alternator

[RiCeY]

Make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight then as said check leads to/from Alternator.

Around 14v is a good charge rate how old is the battery?

[andyman]

the vz alternator is internally regulated, ve's have the computer controlled alt's

jump start it with another battery, it is possible for a cell to colapse or short out in a battery making it go flat so to speak, if you jump it and check the charge rate (13.8 to 14.4) and seems fine, replace the battery, if you jump it and its not charging, i.e idle battery voltage anywhere from 11.8 to 12.6 volts, get the alt checked out