"new" 90 Seville... alternator, clock questions

treasureoak · #1 (**permalink**) 07-27-09, 07:30 PM

Just got a '90 Seville, DIC shows battery volts fluctuating between 10.5-11.7, only had it one day with no obvious problems yet and no battery/charging messages from the DIC, just wondering if volts should be higher. Mechanic checked alternator with voltage meter and says it isn't charging and needs to be replaced... I guess I believe him (?). Also I can't figure out how to set the clock radio. The owners manual shows how to set the date/time in the DIC but not for the clock. Have moderate amount condensation in taillights which I will probably not worry about for now. Other common problems? Any information you guys/gals might give would be appreciated.

**Playdrv4me** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-27-09, 07:39 PM

That voltage is way too low for an idling vehicle. My '92 idles at over 13 to 14 volts and sits around 12 with the ignition off.

Sevillian273 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-27-09, 10:05 PM

Remove the tailight assemblies(from inside the trunk, 3 plastic nuts) and drill a small hole 1/4'-3/8" in the bottom of each light cell.

Do you mean the clock in the stock radio? I forget how to set the one in the DIC, but I can check my owners manual.

Do what play said and get an alt. You dont want to let the battery drop too low or you will be picking up one of those with the alt.

drewsdeville · #4 (**permalink**) 07-28-09, 12:49 AM

The fact that you say you have a clock in the radio says your radio's been replaced once. The non-clock units are rare ( I had a hard time finding one for my Eldo). Only the Seville and Eldo had them along side maybe one or two other gm vehicles. You probably have a unit from a Deville (the same harness was used across the board thru '95), which had the clock in the radio. Because of this, the radio might not sound correct either, as these units were all amplified differently according to the application.

IF you want to set the clock radio, you have to turn it off. Then push "set". After that, the "seek" and "scan" buttons will change the hours and minutes.

treasureoak · #5 (**permalink**) 07-28-09, 05:56 PM

Thanks for the info. Yes, my stock radio has a clock in addition to the one in the DIC... I guess it's not the original radio, which would explain why no instructions in the manual. I had no trouble setting the DIC clock/calendar... those instructions are in the owners manual. Tomorrow morning the Seville gets a new alternator. Last night the battery finally ran down, car wouldn't start. I was trying to "reprogram the computer" after disconnecting the battery, as advised in the owners manual (let it idle in the various stages -pkg brake on, then in drive, etc.) While "programming" the a/c stopped being cold, followed by the dreaded DIC message "a/c lo on refrig... compressor off". This morning the battery had recovered enough to start the car and the a/c seemed cool/cold, no DIC messages, but I didn't have time to run it very long. I'm hoping that the compressor shutting down was just a temporary side effect of the low battery. After all, I just got the car yesterday and haven't figured out all the bugs.

Sevillian273 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-28-09, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treasureoak

I'm hoping that the compressor shutting down was just a temporary side effect of the low battery. After all, I just got the car yesterday and haven't figured out all the bugs.

Doubtful. Mine will run for up to 15 minutes some days without the message and others only a few minutes. That's about as good as I could get it with an autozone recharge kit and no vacuum pump.

On the plus side. changing the alt is a piece of cake on this car. 3 bolts, 1 connector, and the +BAT wire. Youll need a 1/2'' drive ratchet ro loosen the belt tensioner.