Hey guys, after I put my engine back in the car and hooked everything up correctly I've had two problems. The first was the power steering pump was going crazy and was really loud for about a minute in my garage and then went silent and hasn't turned on since. Secondly, the alternator isn't charging the battery. I've checked every single wire and fuse I could possibly think of and had the alternator tested by an alternator/starter shop who said it was in good shape.

Is there any chance that the power steering pump fried and is somehow shorting the circuit between alternator and battery?

 

Yes....
The PS is MADE to shutoff if the alternator fails....
Not sure how it relates to your issues...but no alternator equals no pspump.

 

but the Alternator did not fail, I already stated it has been checked and given a good bill of health.

 

The PS pump has a "SENSE" WIRE....no alternator output...(or wire not connected) PS pump will not run....
You seem to be getting cause and effect mixed up....the PS pump can be physically removed from the car...and it driven...and the alternator will work fine....

 

Look at the ground wire...on the engine mount?

 

Okay, that's what I was asking. Where is the "sense" wire located on the PS pump so I can go check it.

 

I'm not really getting cause and effect confused, I'm just trying to figure out why my alternator is not charging my battery. Is there any chance that power goes from the alternator to the PS pump and for some reason since the PS pump is not working the alternator is charging the battery? Because the alternator itself is good. I had it bench tested. Otherwise do you have any suggestions for wires to check?

 

I'm thinking if it was "Bench Tested" that means it was removed from the car to be tested. Does your belt slip? I doubt that's it in your case, but is a possible cause.

How are the wires/pins in the clip that connects to back of alternator?

I assume car starts and accessories work (until your battery looses its charge) That would mean fusable-link/main fuse is not blown.

Not sure if your bench test tested voltage regulator or not -it's a part of alternator and cannot be replaced separately. To test, put a volt-meter on positive and negative battery terminals. Should be at least 12.6 volts. -Start engine, check battery voltage again, should be 13.5 to 15 volts.

I'm thinking the wiring mentioned (and in picture) is suspect. I don't think you have a failed power-steering that is causing your battery to not charge.

 

Thanks for your help guys. I've checked the ground wire on the passenger side engine mount and cleaned up the surfaces a dozen times now at least

Also checked the pins on the alternator plug as well as the wire.

The guys who bench tested it took the alternator completely apart as well and said everything was fine, but I will call tomorrow and ask if they checked the voltage regulator. Belt doesn't slip at all either. All accessories work fine
(besides power steering) until battery dies as well.

 

Dang... I'm out of ideas then. Your battery terminals are clean, tight?

I too thought ground strap, I guess you got that checked now too.

You said you checked all wires, fuses, etc... Not sure if you have this reference already or not, just to make sure we're not forgetting a connection somewhere. Also note there's more than one ground location, they're listed in the attachment.

Edit: look at fuse F39 in passenger compartment.

 

Check the 50 amp fuse on the back side of the fuse panel under the bonnet. May have blown that.

Nik

 

Checked that yesterday and it looked fine. I'll try replacing it tomorrow anyways

 

Alright I think I found the source of my problems when my starter died yesterday. Took a look at the starter today and noticed that I put all three wires on the three different terminals which I know is wrong, but I can't remember which terminal the two big wires go on (towards the front or towards the rear) so if anyone could help me out on that I think my problems would be solved and I will no longer have to carry around a spare battery and jumper cables!

 

Reviving this thread way, way back from the dead to bring it to closure. I had the exact same symptoms as described above and had a hard time diagnosing it after I replaced my bad starter. This thread helped me find my problem.

There are three wires with ring terminals that connect to the starter; one relatively thin wire that connects the solenoid, and two thicker wires- the thickest wire goes to positive on the battery and the other goes directly on the alternator. The two thick cables are attached to the same terminal captured by the 13mm nut and the solenoid cable goes on the terminal with the 10mm nut.

I thought my alternator was going bad because my battery was discharging. It just turns out I botched my starter replacement. I spent way too long pouring through the Bently electrical diagrams which does not show complete diagrams

 

Just so much information here at NAM.

 

Yes, they go a certain way. Take a picture of how the wire go on the starter. That's how I did mine so I would not mix them up.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ush-start.html