Chaging issues
 

Well guys I have an 02 WS6 and am having some really bad charging issues. So far I have replaced the alternator twice, and the battery about 5 times in the last 4 months. The battery keeps getting a dead cell. Just replaced the battery again with a optima red top and its already down to 12 volts. The car charges while driving but when I am at a light it is way below charging at around 9-10 volts. It is obviously overcharging due to the dead cell but cant figure this out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Did you relocate the battery by chance? Check your ground cables and power cables from the alternator to the battery. Check from the battery to the chassis and motor. Sounds to me like a ground issue personally.

check the connections on the starter.

I have not relocated the battery. I have checked the ground to the block but that the only one that I have checked. I have been thinking about replacing all the battery cables and I will check the starter wires also. Thanks guys. Ill keep ya updated.

Simple. Get a Mustang. :poke:

LOL.... Why would I want to disgrace myself?

But you will do it with style!.... kinda..

You did by posting a question on a GM! :hysterical: J/K

Oh as far as the specific issue goes are you running any sort of "not oem" electronics (stereo, ignition, those crazy headlights that blind me all the time going down the freeway!) red tops are pretty crappy for anything with higher power needs.

Try running an extra ground from the alternator case to the battery ( regardless if you have a ground issue or not it is a good addition), also have you measured voltage on the battery when charging??

No add ons to lights. There is an amp that is wayyyyy to big to run the mids that was in there when I bought that car. But this just started happening within the last 8 mos or so and gradually getting worse.

I dont think that there is any ground coming from the alt to the battery. There is just the power wire and the voltmeter power. I did measure the amp and it varies from 13.89-14.6 at times.

Have you replaced the cable end on the battery cable? If so, check the wire itself for corrosion. A lot of times, when you cut the factory end off the cable, it lets moisture into the wire and corrosion sets in. If you see any green in the wire, replace it.

underdrive pully?

Open the wire rap going to the alternator and look for any wierd splices. audio guys like to f' with alt to get more juice could be simple.

So today I ripped out all of the cable to the alt,batt and grounds. Making new wires this week. I will keep you all updated and hopefully this works. I just spent $70 on battery cables.