ccdog Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 Hi guys. I am having a problem in which my voltage drops. One day my car died 3 times in less that 2 miles. Someoned stopped to jump me a couple of times so I could get home. Today I had to pick up meds for my dog. It was about 12 mi each way. When I left I was at 12.1v. By the time I got to the vets I was at 11.3v. It did come back a little around 11.8v when I left the vets. Onec at highway speed (70) the voltage was 12v. I went to pass someone who was doint 50. When I punched it I got the "check charging system", Right after that teh voltage was jumping around from 12.7v to areound 10.7v. It did this several times until I got home. I went back out to the car a little later on. I started it and within 3 or so minutes it dropped to 11.3v to 8v. My dash flickered and the car was ready to stall so I shut it down. One code I am wondering about was pzm b1983 which is "door unlock realy direct short to battery. Can anyone tell me where that realay is located? I want to replace that first. My alternater has maybe 12000 mi on it. I appreciate any ino on this.....Thanks, JIm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 Time for a new battery. Forget the codes for now. Low voltage will set all sorts of false codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccdog Posted August 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 Time for a new battery. Forget the codes for now. Low voltage will set all sorts of false codes. Thank you but I did charge then load test the battery and it passed. I load tested it the day after also and it was good. I cleaned the terminals as well as both ends of the ground cable and one end of the battery cable. When the car died it started up instantly when jumped. I am just confused at this point.....Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 How did you load test it? This definately sounds like a battery problem, from the comment when you stepped on it, you got an alternator message. The alternator alone can not provide current to support the coils, if the battery has a short, your ignition system will struggle as there is insufficient current, check the battery, and cables, and connections again You dont see any alternator codes? Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccdog Posted August 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 How did you load test it? This definately sounds like a battery problem, from the comment when you stepped on it, you got an alternator message. The alternator alone can not provide current to support the coils, if the battery has a short, your ignition system will struggle as there is insufficient current, check the battery, and cables, and connections again You dont see any alternator codes? Thanks for your reply. I used an analog load tester to test the battery. I will try another battery tomorrow. One thing though, after the problem I had yesterday I didn't charge the battery. This morning the car started right up however the DIC was showing only 11.1v. Thats why I didn't think it was the battery....Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 How did you load test it? This definately sounds like a battery problem, from the comment when you stepped on it, you got an alternator message. The alternator alone can not provide current to support the coils, if the battery has a short, your ignition system will struggle as there is insufficient current, check the battery, and cables, and connections again You dont see any alternator codes? Thanks for your reply. I used an analog load tester to test the battery. I will try another battery tomorrow. One thing though, after the problem I had yesterday I didn't charge the battery. This morning the car started right up however the DIC was showing only 11.1v. Thats why I didn't think it was the battery....Jim Hmmm, immediately after start up, you should be in excess of 12, if this were winter, I would say 14.1 volts. Are you sure you are not getting a code for charging or alternator. check your codes again Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Yeah, I think no load should be 12.3 or 12.6. Something like that. Running should be in the 14's. 11 volts is too low under any conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterset Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 battery may have an internal short that is drawing too much voltage from the alt. I would replace the battery first. if the problem persists, then it's probably a blown voltage regulator in the alt. in either case, if the battery was bad, it might have blown the regulator & you wouldn't want that battery to do this to another alt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccdog Posted August 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 battery may have an internal short that is drawing too much voltage from the alt. I would replace the battery first. if the problem persists, then it's probably a blown voltage regulator in the alt. in either case, if the battery was bad, it might have blown the regulator & you wouldn't want that battery to do this to another alt. I put another battery in today . I cleared the codes and took a 4 mile ride. When I started the car I only showed 12.1v (I charged battery before installing). Voltage did drop to around 11.7v when I put the ac on. I'm in Texas. It is hot. Anyway. I parked the car and I checked the codes. The only code I received is "IPC B1910 Generator L terminal open ckt" I thought b codes are body codes so not sure if my alt is bad....Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jim Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 I put another battery in today . I cleared the codes and took a 4 mile ride. When I started the car I only showed 12.1v (I charged battery before installing). Voltage did drop to around 11.7v when I put the ac on. I'm in Texas. It is hot. Anyway. I parked the car and I checked the codes. The only code I received is "IPC B1910 Generator L terminal open ckt" I thought b codes are body codes so not sure if my alt is bad....Jim Check all the wires on the alternator for a loose or broken wire. I think there is one wire that goes from the alternator to the PCM. Check it and make sure it is good. Have the alternator checked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 Aftermarket alternators have difficulty communicating with the PCM and this code arises, time to either rebuild with AC DELCO parts, or replace with an AC DELCO alternator. Aftermarket alternators are NOT recommended Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccdog Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Aftermarket alternators have difficulty communicating with the PCM and this code arises, time to either rebuild with AC DELCO parts, or replace with an AC DELCO alternator. Aftermarket alternators are NOT recommended I believe the problem is fixed. The battery was part of the problem. The other part was the pos cable to the alt. Even though the ends were clean (cleaned them a couple of weeks ago), the cable was bad. I cut back some of the insulation and the wire was green. I cleaned it up pretty well with clr and a tooth brush. I also added anothe cable from the alt toe battery. When I started the car the voltage went up over 14v. It hasn't done that in weeks. I just need to test drive to be shure but I think I'm done. Thank you to all who replied....Jim Ps. Can anyone tell me where the 3rd pos cable goes to...alt, starter and what else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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