1999 Bonneville SLE 3.8 Non-SC
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I have a 1999 Bonneville, SLE, non-SC. Here is my Issue: When I first start the car, I have almost 14 volts at the Battery, as the car warms up, the Voltage slowly drops to 13.5. This seems normal. However, as I increase the load (A/C, Headlamps) the voltage drops below 13 volts. The kicker, when I shift out of Park, voltage spikes downward below 11 volts, sometimes below 10 to the point where lights dim and Accessories begin to drop in efficiency. I began by disconnecting the Daylight Running Lights, this seemed to improve the loss of Voltage, but, a significant loss in voltage remains and the Alternator seems to have a very difficult time keeping up. What has been done: New Alternator New Belt Tensioner New Belt New Battery DRL Disabled I need some hints/directions on where to go to solve this issue. |
Originally Posted by jeffrey384
(Post 1622958)
Follow Pontiac Owners,
I have a 1999 Bonneville, SLE, non-SC. Here is my Issue: When I first start the car, I have almost 14 volts at the Battery, as the car warms up, the Voltage slowly drops to 13.5. This seems normal. However, as I increase the load (A/C, Headlamps) the voltage drops below 13 volts. The kicker, when I shift out of Park, voltage spikes downward below 11 volts, sometimes below 10 to the point where lights dim and Accessories begin to drop in efficiency. I began by disconnecting the Daylight Running Lights, this seemed to improve the loss of Voltage, but, a significant loss in voltage remains and the Alternator seems to have a very difficult time keeping up. What has been done: New Alternator New Belt Tensioner New Belt New Battery DRL Disabled I need some hints/directions on where to go to solve this issue. |
Originally Posted by rjolly87
(Post 1622959)
Corrosion could also contribute to voltage drop. Look for it at the terminals, and also within the large gauge cables.
Terminals at Battery, clean. Terminals at Firewall FuseBox, clean. Terminals at Alternator, clean. Terminals at Starter, clean. Largest Voltage drop is at the Point when I Shift from Park. Especially, when Engine is at or near Running Temp. Voltage drops 13.5 to 11 volts or less and does increase, but only to just over 12. |
Originally Posted by jeffrey384
(Post 1622958)
Follow Pontiac Owners,
I have a 1999 Bonneville, SLE, non-SC. Here is my Issue: When I first start the car, I have almost 14 volts at the Battery, as the car warms up, the Voltage slowly drops to 13.5. This seems normal. However, as I increase the load (A/C, Headlamps) the voltage drops below 13 volts. The kicker, when I shift out of Park, voltage spikes downward below 11 volts, sometimes below 10 to the point where lights dim and Accessories begin to drop in efficiency. I began by disconnecting the Daylight Running Lights, this seemed to improve the loss of Voltage, but, a significant loss in voltage remains and the Alternator seems to have a very difficult time keeping up. What has been done: New Alternator New Belt Tensioner New Belt New Battery DRL Disabled I need some hints/directions on where to go to solve this issue. |
Have you had the alternator load tested? Just because you replaced it doesn't mean it's not defective. Take it to a place like Auto Zone and have them load test the battery and alternator for free.
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Originally Posted by Mad_Coachman
(Post 1622966)
Have you had the alternator load tested? Just because you replaced it doesn't mean it's not defective. Take it to a place like Auto Zone and have them load test the battery and alternator for free.
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Originally Posted by jeffrey384
(Post 1622970)
I purchased the Alternator from AdvanceAuto, and as a Routine, I had them test the Alternator before I left the store.
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Originally Posted by jeffrey384
(Post 1622970)
I purchased the Alternator from AdvanceAuto, and as a Routine, I had them test the Alternator before I left the store.
Okay, Let's try this again. DRL's are Disabled. At start up, 14 plus Volts cold, at Running Temp 13.65 - 13.7. At Running Temp, Only Lights On, 13.65 - 13.7. At Running Temp, Only A/C (coolings fans On)On, 13.5 - 13.6. At Running Temp, Lights and A/C (cooling fans On) On, 13.45 - 13.5. At Running Temp, NO accessories Running, Shift from Park, 13.65 - 13.7 At Running Temp, Only Lights On, Shift from Park, 13.5 - 13.60 At Running Temp, On A/C (cooling fans On), Shift from Park, 12.6 - 13.0 At Running Temp, Lights and A/C (cooling fans On), Shift from Park, 10.5 - 12. Want to Stall, Voltage slowly climbs to steady around 12.5 volts. |
Why is this an issue? Is the battery dying and won't start the car? Aside from your concern over the voltage readings, and you experiencing any problems that lead you to believe the charging system is not functioning properly?
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Originally Posted by 2kg4u
(Post 1622974)
Why is this an issue? Is the battery dying and won't start the car? Aside from your concern over the voltage readings, and you experiencing any problems that lead you to believe the charging system is not functioning properly?
When the Voltage drops into the Red, the Lights Dim and the Accessories (A/C) in particular, almost cause the car to stall just by putting the car in to Gear, I simply believe that it is cause for concern. There has been only one occasion when I had come off of the highway, drove several blocks, and as I was making a right hand turn, she came to almost stall and I lost my Power Steering. The Voltage dropped into the Red. I do not want a repeat of that instance, it could happen when it could cause an accident. |
Originally Posted by 2kg4u
(Post 1622974)
Why is this an issue? Is the battery dying and won't start the car? Aside from your concern over the voltage readings, and you experiencing any problems that lead you to believe the charging system is not functioning properly?
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Okay Gents, this is where things stand:
Today, got back to trying to figure out this voltage issue. This is what I did; I made myself some leads long enough for me to run my test leads from the B post on the Alternator and a solid ground into the passenger compartment so that I could monitor the voltage on my Multimeter. Tested battery before starting, 12.62 Volts, good to go. Started Bonneville, 14.1 volts cold, good to go. Allowed the engine to come to running temperature, 13.5 volts, good to go. At running temperature, shifted in Drive, 13.35 - 13.45 volts, seems good to go. Shifted back to Park, turned on A/C (blower on high, radiator cooling fans came on), Lights on, radio on, 13.25 - 13.35 volts, still seems good to go. Under that load, I shifted into Drive (foot on brake, of course), volts drop to 13.15 and from there, I watched the voltage drop over the next five minutes or so to 12.45. Summary, running temp, under load, shift into Drive, voltage drops during that five minutes from 13.15 to 12.45, gradually. Any thoughts? |
You may want to put in new battery cables; I have had cables go bad with no outward signs of problems with them. They are not that expensive, and at least you can rule them out as the culprit. And as mentioned - clean all the chassis ground connections with a wire brush or sandpaper and consider new eye hooks on those as well. Also, may want to swap out battery to rule that out as well. I'm a battery weirdo and have additional batteries I maintain with trickle chargers.
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Originally Posted by cashmgr
(Post 1623148)
You may want to put in new battery cables; I have had cables go bad with no outward signs of problems with them. They are not that expensive, and at least you can rule them out as the culprit. And as mentioned - clean all the chassis ground connections with a wire brush or sandpaper and consider new eye hooks on those as well. Also, may want to swap out battery to rule that out as well. I'm a battery weirdo and have additional batteries I maintain with trickle chargers.
Has this ever happened to anyone? |
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