[PapaBear1847]

Hello all,
I have been having charging system issues and was hoping I could get some fed back on it
Let me start off with I have a 01 Eldorado ETC with 126k miles.I bought the car 5 years ago with a bad alternator for $200 (yes that's right $200)
I got a re manufactured alternator for my local parts store (yes I know now a bad move). About a month ago i noticed the voltage dropping to about 12v when the car was warm and only going up to around 13.6v at 2000rpm. I went back to the parts store and they gave me a replacement free of charge. I installed it and same issue. Went back and got a 3rd unit and now the voltage is good at 14.2 over 1500rpm and only going down to mid 13's when at idle depending on the load. However...Now my "service charging system" message is on with the battery light on the dash. I had the charging system and battery checked and all seems fine. I get code PO621 - "Generator L Terminal Malfunction".

After dong some research one possible cause of this is the plug may be damaged, having changed the unit so many times (not an easy job as you all know) I figured I would change the plug just in case. And...The problem is still there. I asked the guy at the parts store if a bad voltage regulator could cause the problem. He said NO.
So finally to the question, Could the voltage regulator really cause this? and should i just get a NEW AC delco alternator from Rock Auto and use this as a door stop...

Sorry so long
Thanks for any input.....
Tony

 

[basscatt]

Hello all,
I have been having charging system issues and was hoping I could get some fed back on it
Let me start off with I have a 01 Eldorado ETC with 126k miles.I bought the car 5 years ago with a bad alternator for $200 (yes that's right $200)
I got a re manufactured alternator for my local parts store (yes I know now a bad move). About a month ago i noticed the voltage dropping to about 12v when the car was warm and only going up to around 13.6v at 2000rpm. I went back to the parts store and they gave me a replacement free of charge. I installed it and same issue. Went back and got a 3rd unit and now the voltage is good at 14.2 over 1500rpm and only going down to mid 13's when at idle depending on the load. However...Now my "service charging system" message is on with the battery light on the dash. I had the charging system and battery checked and all seems fine. I get code PO621 - "Generator L Terminal Malfunction".

After dong some research one possible cause of this is the plug may be damaged, having changed the unit so many times (not an easy job as you all know) I figured I would change the plug just in case. And...The problem is still there. I asked the guy at the parts store if a bad voltage regulator could cause the problem. He said NO.
So finally to the question, Could the voltage regulator really cause this? and should i just get a NEW AC delco alternator from Rock Auto and use this as a door stop...

Sorry so long
Thanks for any input.....
Tony

==========================
the "L" terminal is for the charging light in the instrument cluster -

turn the ignition key to the ON position - DO NOT START THE ENGINE -
verify that the alternator/generator/charging light IS illuminated -
basically - a bulb check -

if YES - the problem IS with the alternator -

The charging lamp control circuit is integral to alternator -

 

[PapaBear1847]

Thanks for the reply basscatt,
I just confirmed that the light in the dash is working.
So as I thought I will be doing the alternator job again.
I will order a NEW AC delco from Rock Auto. I'm not going to mess around with any more re manufactured ones from my local auto parts store. Not worth it.

Thanks again

 

[Submariner409]

RockAuto - AC Delco or Remy.

(the old "Delco/Remy). https://www.google.com/search?q=del.....69i57j0l5.2853j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[PapaBear1847]

Thanks Submariner
I'm leaning towards the Remy Gold

 

[Ranger]

I'm not going to mess around with any more re manufactured ones from my local auto parts store. Not worth it.

Dare I ask where you got these alternators?

 

[Submariner409]

DeadZone ????

(Mornin' - Coffee & donuts, then off on a bus trip..)

 

[PapaBear1847]

Advance Auto
With a "limited Lifetime Replacement"
5 years ago when I got the first one I have to go to 5 different stores and test 7 units until we found one that tested good. I should have known then.....