bulkbogan
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2018
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 9
- Points
- 3
- Age
- 32
- Location
- Melbourne
- Members Ride
- VE Commodore Ute SV6
Hi guys,
I've got an issue with an intermittent alternator fault. Every few starts I get a the 'Alternator' fault on the central display, usually after a few minutes of driving. I'm keen to resolve this myself, as I don't know any reliable sparkys in my new city (Sydney). Concerned that I'll get run around and just have parts thrown at the problem instead of a proper diagnostic.
Workaround
Disconnecting the ground from the battery, and then reconnecting after 30s-1m resolves the issue for the short term. Can/will re-occur on subsequent starting of the car.
Troubleshooting
Verified
Thoughts on potential resolution
I've got an issue with an intermittent alternator fault. Every few starts I get a the 'Alternator' fault on the central display, usually after a few minutes of driving. I'm keen to resolve this myself, as I don't know any reliable sparkys in my new city (Sydney). Concerned that I'll get run around and just have parts thrown at the problem instead of a proper diagnostic.
Workaround
Disconnecting the ground from the battery, and then reconnecting after 30s-1m resolves the issue for the short term. Can/will re-occur on subsequent starting of the car.
Troubleshooting
Verified
- Using multimeter, B+ terminal on alternator is generating 13-14v when fault occurs
- Using multimeter, battery stops charging when the fault occurs
- Battery terminal connections are clean and solid
- The harness from the main engine harness (i.e ECU) to the voltage regulator (located on back of alternator) is connected securely
- Replaced battery with a known good Optima Yellowtop
- Replaced OEM alternator with an aftermarket alternator, including voltage regulator
- Reinstalled OEM alternator
Thoughts on potential resolution
- Could it be a faulty voltage regulator in each of the alternators? The aftermarket alternator was a cheapy, the OEM one has ~300kms on it
- Potentially a short in the main harness which connects the ECU to the voltage regulator?
- Potentially a firmware issue, or hardware issue within the ECU?
- Just to throw it out there, the car does have an aftermarket stereo system including two amplifiers. The wiring is decent, and I haven't had any issues with the amps cutting out so I doubt they'd be causing it.