         
There is a GM TSB on installing a heavier gauge wire on the battery and alternator. Read on for some examples. Vehicle: 1991 Buick Park Avenue Engine: 3.8L Post: Ever since this vehicle was one year old, it has been eating alternators. The alternators all seem to charge fine for two or three days and then slowly charge lower and lower until the charge light comes on. I have checked all connections and installed a new battery numerous times. Fix: The battery cables were replaced with very heavy cable as suggested by an e-mail I received from an IATN member who had the same problems. When I tested the system for the last time before the fix, the cables were too hot to touch. The heavy cables have solved the problem. Vehicle: 1994 Chevrolet Lumina Engine: 3.8L Post: This vehicle has been to numerous shops and the dealer. The problem is that on hot days, the voltage gauge slowly drops until the van will stop running. When towed into my shop I found the following: 1. Blown fusible link between that powers the alternator. 2.Burned out alternator. 3.Dead battery. This unit has had three alternators, one battery and two fusible links installed. Fix: The fix was complex and included the following: 1. Install 12-gauge wire as per TSB. The "S" terminal wire had corroded almost in two. It was necessary to check the following locations: 1. Along the front subframe. 2. Where the harness passes between the a/c low pressure hose and body. 3. About six inches from the alternator. The way that this unit works is that the "L" terminal is voltage from the ECM and excites the alternator. The voltage should be anything between three volts, but lower than the system voltage. 
|
