charging system

1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE
178,000 MILES • 6 CYL
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CRAIGT
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I have replaced the alternator with a brand new one, have replaced the battery with a new one. the alternator will work sometimes, & then it will not work (i.e: the battery light comes on & battery runs down to nothing). what is my next step in finding what is wrong with this van. it has 188k miles on it, but it runs good. Is there anything in the ecm or pcm that controls the alternator that I might need to replace that?
Jan 21, 2012 at 4:10 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Do you have a multimeter to do some testing when its not charging?
Jan 21, 2012 at 4:13 AM
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RASMATAZ
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The computer regulates the alternator output like a built-in regulator
Jan 21, 2012 at 4:17 AM
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CRAIGT
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Yes I do have a multimeter. I would need to know where & what & how to check it though
Jan 21, 2012 at 3:50 PM
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CRAIGT
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can the computer be reprogrammed or does it have to be replaced?
Jan 21, 2012 at 3:59 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Bring it in and have it checked
Jan 21, 2012 at 9:31 PM
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CRAIGT
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I have replaced the computer, replaced the terminal end on 1 of the 2wire orange leads going into the fuse box. I do have tcs on this van, and I believe these wires are going to the security system in the van, it will start but will not charge. I can jump it off and sometimes keep it running by increasing the rpm's, if I let it try to idle it goes dead and will not start again without jumping off. I can hook a good battery to it with jumper cables & it will run fine with no battery light on. I do not want to leave it that way as I need that battery for another car I use everyday.
Jan 30, 2012 at 2:05 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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With a fully charged good battery in it at idle what does the voltage read at the battery cables at the battery?
Jan 30, 2012 at 2:32 PM
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KILLIANPAM
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Hi, please let me know if found the problem, I have a 97 venture, same mileage as yours. We replaced the alternator, the battery, and we can drive for about 5 to 10 minutes and the battery light comes on... it makes me crazy!!! it looks like a bad connection somewhere, but where??? please help if you have any advise, thanks.
Jul 16, 2012 at 6:11 AM