[codye06]

My 98 seville sts started acting up the other day. Last time I drove it all of the elctrical equipment in the car was not working, no dash lights, guages, radio ect. at that point I thought it was a fuse. but then this morning I went out and it would not even try to start. So I am thinking alternator. I just wanted to run this by those of more experience first before I go taking out the alternator as it looks like a few hours worth of work. Thanks for any help.

 

[johnny kannapo]

I would take a good look at the battery connections for corrosion before jumping to conclusions. The battery can't charge if the cables don't allow the current to flow.

After you know the battery is fully charged get it load tested to see how usable it is.

 

[Mark C]

Assuming you have some kind of a charge in the battery now, when you turn the key to run, with the car not running does the red battery symbol light up? Any of the warning indicators like the SES lamp, security telltale, anything?

 

[codye06]

No nothing happens at all.

 

[codye06]

took the battery to advance auto yesterday and it was completly drained so they are charging it and will pick up later today. Plan to take out alternator today and take it for testing. I will let y'all know what happens.

 

[codye06]

So that battery ended up testing good. I removed the alternator today and took it for testing at O'rileys and they said it tested good as well. If the battery and the alternator are good does anyone have any ideas what else the problem might be?
Is it possible that the alternator is bad even though it tests good?

 

[johnny kannapo]

Did you look at the battery cables? Peel back the lug boots and look for corrosion, especially the small gauge cables.

 

[codye06]

I did look for corrosion but all the cables look like they could be brand new. Other than at the battery terminals is there any place that the cables are known to get lose or corroded?

 

[JimD]

I did look for corrosion but all the cables look like they could be brand new. Other than at the battery terminals is there any place that the cables are known to get lose or corroded?

There are several other possible corrosion locations in your year model. And before you put a wrench on any of these locations, you must disconnect the battery. Do not proceed before you disconnect the battery!! I hope that is clear.

Under the rear seat. Inspect the cable connection under the red plastic cover on the inboard end of the fuse/relay box. It would be worth your time/effort to remove the nut and wire brush all the connecting surfaces.

Under the hood. Inspect the multiple cable connections under the red plastic cover on the rear surface of the fuse/relay box. Apply the wire brush again.

 

[jimsbox]

Check for a broken ground lead from the engine above the alternator to the frame rail in the passenger side behind the headlight (on a 00 Deville, may be in different location on you car but I will bet you a beer that it is broken. If you can't find it or get to it easy just take a jumper cable from the negatve post on the battery bo a bare bolt on engine and try starting it, bet it will work.

 

[codye06]

Well when I reconnected the battery yesterday the car did start, sorry I forgot to mention that. So given that information I dont think it could be a completly broken ground. I will give it a look any ways though.

 

[jimsbox]

You may have a bad battery (internal intermittent break in the connection to one of the posts or a plate). Do you have another battery you can try?

 

[codye06]

This morning I took the alternator to an alternator shop in town and the guy told me my brushes were really short to the point it may be causing the alternator to work sometimes and not work other times. He rebuilt it for $100. Installed the rebuilt alternator this afternoon and so far everything seems to back in working order. I will update this post if anything else happens but as of right now I think she is fixed.