Hey everyone. No one seems to be able to give me an answer as to what's going on. I'm fairly certain I should just replace the alternator although I don't want to throw parts at it.

After letting the battery get low (left the radio on) I started it to recharge the battery. After running about 5 minutes the VDC, ABS, and slip lights started flashing. I could rev the car in neutral, but if I tried to put it in first it had no power to the wheels. Lights started to dim and it slowly died. Removed the battery, charged it, put it back in and it did the same thing an hour later after running.

Re charged the battery AGAIN, took it to my parts store to get the alternator tested in the car. Results came back saying "DIODE SHORT". Voltage results: 14.55V with no load, 12.93V with load.

I also smell something coming from the engine bay that reeks like burnt plastic or something. Pretty sure it's the alternator. Thoughts?

*also, if I remove the negative terminal while the car is running, it instantly dies.

 

The description you have posted does sound like an alternator problem to me. With what you have stated I would be replacing the alternator. If you have doubts about the diagnoses performed by the one parts store, take it to another location for a second opinion. I think I would remove the alternator and have it bench checked rather than leaving it on and risking damaging any computer due to potentially unregulated voltage spikes.

 

Pull the alternator and bring it to advance auto or auto zone and have them do a free test on it. Those are pretty conclusive and eliminates anything else on your car from the ewmquation.

 

More than likely the Alt was weak and when you started it to charge the batt the first time, it was more than the diode could take and POOF!. It's not that bad when you start on a full battery. Pull it and let them check it, they can do it under load and see if it's putting out. Most people don't understand that cars today use a LOT of electrical power. My old 69 Chevy would run over a hundred miles without the alternator. These cars wont go more than thirty. They pull about 25-30 amps ALL the time for the fuel injection. Add the AC, windows, Stereo and you have a lot of work for the Alt to do.

 

Did u find out what the problem was ? My car did this to me today nov 27/2016 what u explained in ur post my 05 g35 did the same thing right down to the T. Please would love to know what u did for a fix so I can do the same.

 

Follow all the advice above, this isn't rocket science. If the alternator tests bad it needs to be replaced plain and simple.

Thanks for searching for a solution to your issue, we do appreciate that.

 

A cheap simple test is with a battery hydrometer
Fully charged battery cells



Battery cells that fail to hold a full charge are indicative of a failing battery



A good battery with a functioning alternator will show a charging voltage



Telcoman

 

It's getting harder and harder to even find a hygrometer these days, something that used to be in every "service" station right next to the distilled water filler.

 

Not if you use Google

http://www.sears.com/mighty-max-batt...3&blockType=G3

Telcoman