2001 Neon - Alternator charging problem

[rgnprof]

I am working on a 2001 Dodge Neon - new battery and replaced the alternator with a reman. Alternator will not charge - car starts but clearly the alternator is not charging. Putting out 11.80 volts and drops over time, eventually battery light comes on and car won't start as battery discharges.

Understand that the voltage regulator is part of the PCM - PCM threw a code PO601 and the dealer replaced the PCM under warranty. Unfortunately, alternator still won't charge, so I pulled it and took it back to Autozone so they could test it. I watched them hook it up and it pased both tests and they said it was fine (even though others have told me that you can't test this alternator off the car). Reinstalled and it still won't charge!!!

I'm confused - any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

ryan

 

[Mobile Dan]

Basic questions...Alt has a big single wire and 2 small wires in a connector...

Do you have 12 volts at all times at he big wire?

Do you have 12 volts at one of the small wires with the key on? I think it's dark green with orange, but i cant say for sure because I don't know which engine you have.

Dan

 

[rgnprof]

I did NOT have 12 volts at the big wire - but I was told I shouldn't have voltage. I was told that the PCM had the voltage regulator in it and sends a trickle charge to the alternator as needed.

Again, I'm confused.

ryan

 

[Mobile Dan]

The PCM controls the ground for the field winding through the "other" small wire. The big wire should be a direct circuit to the positive post of the battery. Older Neons had 2 big wires to the positive post...I'm not sure if that method was used in 2001

Dan

 

[Mobile Dan]

To clarify...You need to have 12 v at the big single wire at the alt at all times. If you don't, check for an unattached wire at or near the battery or the fuse box under the hood, near the battery. Also, check the wires at the starter, the big alt wire may get it's power at the large post on the starter solenoid. If ti all looks good, look for a bad fusible link between starter end alternator.
Dan

 

[Jim Fairbanks]

Check all your fuses...Like Danica said check fusible links.....Jim............All of the current from the generator cable connection goes to the battery through a 140 ampere fusible link that is secured with a nut to the positive battery cable terminal.

 

[rgnprof]

Thank you for the replies. The starter was changed - by someone else - before I got involved in helping this guy. I am going to start there I think.

I have checked the fuses, but I will double check. How do I check fusible links? Voltmeter? Can someone describe a procedure here? Thanks.

ryan

 

[Jim Fairbanks]

If somebody changed the starter they might have done it without disconnecting the battery and blown the fusible link..Look at the diagram and check the fusible link that goes from the alternator to the starter....Jim............

 

[rgnprof]

Got it - and thanks for the help. Whoever installed the starter just forgot to connect the fusible link that leads from the starter to the alternator. Took a few minutes to find it but once I got it hooked it up, everything is fine.

ryan

 

[Mobile Dan]

It's good to hear you got it fixed. Isn't it great when a repair costs $0?

Dan

 

[Jim Fairbanks]

Thanks for posting back and letting us know it is fixed..When people don't post back we never know if the problem was found or not....Jim

 

[Bperkins91]

I have a 2001 Dodge Neon 2.0 that shut off while driving, at first there was not any electrical power. i rewired the positve terminal and it WILL crank, however it shuts off when driving. But electrical power stays on and then refuses to crank. Any ideas, im currently working on replacing the altenator

 

[grcauto]

This thread is 16 years old. Start a new one.

 

[nickb2]

This thread is 16 years old. Start a new one.