this is regarding my 95 Cavalier:
I have a brand new battery that I KNOW works fine cause I've used it on my Impulse all summer. So I put that in my cavalier, and after using the car a few times, starting slower & slower everytime, battery is gone dead. I only changed that alternator in Jan 06, so I just hauled it off and changed it for another one and It seems to be getting the exact same problem! On a full charge the battery reads about 13.2V, and with the car running it reads 12.9V so is it just my bad luck with alternators or is there something else I can check?
Sounds like the engine computer isnt sending the commantd to the alt to turn it on. You more than likely need another engine computer. luckily you have a 95 so you dont have to have it programmed , just have to swap over the prom.
01 cav w/01 3400 gam gt 4t45e
that certainaly sounds like a possiblity, but I think I'm going to try another alternator or 2 first before I jump to THAT conclusion. Wouldn't I getta check engine light if it was computer trouble?
No light.
I have actually changed a computer on a 95 for that reason. Computer wont send a mil request if the problem is internal. The mil is designed to tell if there is an external problem is detected.
The only other possibility would be broken wires to the alt from the computer.
01 cav w/01 3400 gam gt 4t45e
how about running the alt. wire directly to the battery instead of the starter?
Have you checked your head gasket ? One of my friends had sort of this problem with his Monte turned out to be blown head gasket, after that was fixed he needed a new starter because of the extra stress.
If that's not it I'd say have the alt, batter,and computer tested. Testing is always cheaper then replacing something that isn't the problem.
I would even say installing a set of water temp and volt or amp gauges could help you see if that is the trouble. never hurts to have those anyway. Later
Back In Black '89 RS
"Get In, Sit Down, Shut Up, and Hold On!"
Jonathan shumacker wrote:how about running the alt. wire directly to the battery instead of the starter?
NO NO. That would cause the alternator to sit and attempt to charge constantly. Even when the engine isnt running. That would be a bad thing, it would likely sit and drain your battery.
I have mine hooked up to something that is 12v+ only when the engine is running. One wire for the fuel injectors worked out just fine for this. The regulator inside the alt. will take care of it.
One thing you will want to look at, there are some fused links in the wires for the alternator. You'll want to look there and see if one of them is possibly blown.
