Bweezy311 Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hello everyone, I'm hoping to get some help here. About 6 months ago my 92 STS was giving me a High Battery Voltage message. I took it to a shop in Los Angeles called AAMCO 8535 (Venice Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90034) and they replaced the alternator. It probably wasn't 2 weeks later that I started to randomly get the High Battery Voltage message again. I called the shop and took the car back to them but of course while it was with them they couldn't get the High Battery Voltage message and the alternator passed all the tests. They said it might be an electrical wiring problem. I took it to another shop and he said the only thing that would be causing it would be the alternator. He did mention that the alternator the other shop put in wasn't the best and he said if he were to replace it he'd put in an AC/delco or something like that (but way more expesive). I decided to hold off and see if the problem reoccured anymore. As the months progressed I hardly ever got the message again. Maybe once in a blue moon it would appear so I figured I would wait it out. I recently got my oil and filter changed and after I got my car back I've been getting the High Battery Voltage message like no other. When I try and do stuff like run defrost/fog and any other systems I can run going it'll take the voltage level down some but I can't keep doing that, something is wrong! So my point being, does this look like an alternator problem? I don't want to put down 800-900 on a "quality" alternator and it not solve the problem. Sorry for the long story and thanks. ps. If anyone knows quality shops for cadillacs in the west L.A. area please let me know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Have the battery tested first and make sure that the cables are clean and tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 "quality alternator"? Listen, the shop that you took it to that said he would replace it with an AC DELCO was smart. Aftermarket rebuilt alternators unless its an AC DELCO rebuild are garbage. Isn't AAMCO a transmission shop?, why did you take your car there for a charging problem? I would stay away from AAMCO altogether, I could tell you about an experience I had with them that would scare you. Anyway, I don't know where you got the cost of $800 to $900 but I can go out right now and get a quality rebuilt alternator for a 4.9 Caddy for about $150 and its a cake walk to replace. Find an AC DELCO distributor that sells AC DELCO rebuilds and replace the alternator 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...
Bweezy311 Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 "quality alternator"? Listen, the shop that you took it to that said he would replace it with an AC DELCO was smart. Aftermarket rebuilt alternators unless its an AC DELCO rebuild are garbage. Isn't AAMCO a transmission shop?, why did you take your car there for a charging problem? I would stay away from AAMCO altogether, I could tell you about an experience I had with them that would scare you. Anyway, I don't know where you got the cost of $800 to $900 but I can go out right now and get a quality rebuilt alternator for a 4.9 Caddy for about $150 and its a cake walk to replace. Find an AC DELCO distributor that sells AC DELCO rebuilds and replace the alternator I had literally just moved from Cleveland to L.A. so I didn't know of any shops. I googled and came across AAMCO which was close by, called them, and they said that they also do that kind of work. They had to replace my entire brake line system because it was all rusted out and leaking. 5-6months later and brakes still work (!) so I trust them for the most part. However I will call around and find a shop who can A) test my battery and B ) put an AC Delco alternator in. Thanks for the reply. If anyone else has any info please chip in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Go here and do a search for AC DELCO parts distributors http://www.acdelco.com/index.jsp The alternator is VERY easy to replace on a 92, if you would like to try it, come back and we can walk you through the process, its quite easy and you can do it with very few tools. Good Luck PS, I have had a very very bad experience with AAMCO, but I now understand why you did what you did. Ask friends or co-workers for mechanics references. 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...
WarrenJ Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I recently got my oil and filter changed and after I got my car back I've been getting the High Battery Voltage message like no other. I'd have to call that a red flag. Sure, generators (as Cadillac calls them) can be intermittent as can batteries, but an intermittent battery is a comparative rarity. You're pretty much limited to three problem sources: Battery, generator, or the cabling associated with either. I'm seeing red. I would urge you to thoroughly check the battery/generator cables especially the ground cables. Good luck, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bweezy311 Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I would honestly love to try and do it myself...but, living in L.A. I am now down to an apartment and a dark parking garage...and no tools! Everything is back at my parents house in Cleveland! I would have loved to change my own oil if I could but couldn't even do that . I am left with no choice but to take it to a shop. I talked to a shop that will replace it with an AC Delco alternator and check battery and wiring for about $525. Granted you all will probably cringe at that number, I say if this will give me peace at mind then it will be worth it. I will try and return the other alternator from AAMCO and see if I can get any refund for it. That might then cover the cost of the new alternator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I would honestly love to try and do it myself...but, living in L.A. I am now down to an apartment and a dark parking garage...and no tools! Everything is back at my parents house in Cleveland! I would have loved to change my own oil if I could but couldn't even do that . I am left with no choice but to take it to a shop. I talked to a shop that will replace it with an AC Delco alternator and check battery and wiring for about $525. Granted you all will probably cringe at that number, I say if this will give me peace at mind then it will be worth it. I will try and return the other alternator from AAMCO and see if I can get any refund for it. That might then cover the cost of the new alternator. I understand. Good Luck, if we can help you let us know. As Warren noted, it is odd that suddenly you have that message again, it certainly sounds like a loose connection. I will look at my manual later to see what the cause is of this code. If you decide to do this, www.rockauto.com has an AC DELCO rebuilt alternator for $117 ACDELCO Part # 3342385 {140 AMP #10463294, 19135943, 321580} GENERATOR,(REMAN) WITHOUT HEATED WINDSHIELD; 4 DOORS; DELCO CS144; 140 AMPS You could afford to buy the tools needed and save a bundle of cash.. let us know 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...
Bweezy311 Posted September 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Just to give everyone an update, I found another shop, the guy I took it to to get the second opinion (Website Here). He was able to do the same job but for $200 less. Total ghetto looking shop but top notch work. I was able to stand there with him and diagnose and search for potential problems. I decided to go ahead and replace the alternator with the AC Delco one and the second we took the previously installed one off and compared we knew right away what the problem was. The previously installed alternator had a much smaller pulley than the new AC Delco one I installed. This of course would make the alternator spin much fast than it probably should which would cause some High Battery Voltage. We replaced, I've driven it around some and have had consistent average voltages (last night it was between 13.5-13.7, this morning I think it got as high as 14.2 but then went back down to the 13's. I'm hoping my problem is solved. And to the previous poster, as mentioned, I watched him replace it and it did look like an easy job that I could have done. Thanks for all your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hey, glad to hear you got it fixed! NOW do you understand why I said to stay away from AAMCO....?? They didn't sit the alternators side by side? Good Price also! Give him a BIG TIP!!!! 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...
Bweezy311 Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 What the heck....seriously....so yesterday morning when I pulled out of my parking garage and started driving down my street I look down and all of a sudden see HIGH BATTERY VOLTAGE. I about flipped....it stayed like that for a couple seconds and then went back down to the low 14's to mid-upper 13's. Seriously though, what the heck. It did the exact same thing when I was driving my car to work this morning also. I'll never win....honestly thinking about selling it and getting an 05 or 06 CTS. Need to figure out my finances first. I've put about $2500 into this car in the past 6 months, just shy of $500 a month track...aka pretty much a car payment, which is why I'm considering getting a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Do me a favor, run your codes and write them down. I want to know if you have a B410, B411, B412 is present, but I want to know all codes at this point, to help direct us to a solution. Please do me a favor and don't get frustrated. Statements like "Ill never win" won't fix this car. Post your codes ASAP 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...
BodybyFisher Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 One more thing, this problem you are having might be VERY simple to fix. Just post your codes. The NEXT time you get this BATTERY VOLTAGE TO HIGH, have your VOLTMETER ON, and record the VOLTS immediately. As a matter of fact, KEEP the VOLTS up all the time. LOOK at it next time you see this message. I am looking at the manual, this could be a BAD BCM or BODY CONTROL MODULE and have NOTHING to do with your ALTERNATOR, so chill out.. relax, you might just need a new BODY CONTROL MODULE. Keep in mind that you are driving a 92, things are going to go and you are correct in your analysis above, when the cost of repairs begins to exceed the cost for a new car, a decision has to be made. It is not likely that your repairs will continue at this rate, once you get it back in shape you should be OK.. 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...
Bweezy311 Posted September 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I didn't mean to come off as a serious frustation post....most of a joking like go figure kind of post. Sorry if it came out the wrong way! I'll try and get the codes later today and post. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 I'll never win....honestly thinking about selling it and getting an 05 or 06 CTS. Need to figure out my finances first. I've put about $2500 into this car in the past 6 months, just shy of $500 a month track...aka pretty much a car payment, which is why I'm considering getting a new one. I understand your grief. A newer vehicle, however, is only a temporary solution (if that). Sooner or later the newer ride will need service. If by that time you haven't located a competent servicer you will only begin to revisit the current frustrations. I'd respectfully suggest you do some serious networking and find that servicer before you make a move. My guy is an independent who spent ten years at a Cadillac dealership before he opened his own shop. All his technicians have certificates on the wall indicating which general classes they've completed (computerized engine management, air conditioning, etc.). It's an impressive array. Oh, and the bathroom is clean; that can be a valuable hint. No, I don't know why... but it works (although I suspect it means if he respects his own excrement, he'll respect yours). Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivepointohman Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 I'll never win....honestly thinking about selling it and getting an 05 or 06 CTS. Need to figure out my finances first. I've put about $2500 into this car in the past 6 months, just shy of $500 a month track...aka pretty much a car payment, which is why I'm considering getting a new one. I understand your grief. A newer vehicle, however, is only a temporary solution (if that). Sooner or later the newer ride will need service. If by that time you haven't located a competent servicer you will only begin to revisit the current frustrations. I'd respectfully suggest you do some serious networking and find that servicer before you make a move. My guy is an independent who spent ten years at a Cadillac dealership before he opened his own shop. All his technicians have certificates on the wall indicating which general classes they've completed (computerized engine management, air conditioning, etc.). It's an impressive array. Oh, and the bathroom is clean; that can be a valuable hint. No, I don't know why... but it works (although I suspect it means if he respects his own excrement, he'll respect yours). Regards, Warren Honestly your problem may be a bad ground to the voltage regulator causing it to short out and and allowing high voltage to pass through it. This bad ground would kill the interal voltage regualtor pretty much quickly and thus teh problem returns constantly... Verify that You have a good ground to the regulator on the alternator.. The only way to get high voltage is for it to come out of the alternator... Also verify that you actually are getting high voltage but putting a volt meter on the battery.. goodluck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 The alternator is new, meaning that the regulator in the alternator is new, this is his second alternator. The service manual points directly at the BCM with this high voltage message. And that test you mention is the answer, IF he gets the high voltage message again, he is to look at the volts, if it reads 16+, then he is to test the battery to see what the volts are, if the volts are less than 16, its the BCM 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...
fivepointohman Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 The alternator is new, meaning that the regulator in the alternator is new, this is his second alternator. The service manual points directly at the BCM with this high voltage message. And that test you mention is the answer, IF he gets the high voltage message again, he is to look at the volts, if it reads 16+, then he is to test the battery to see what the volts are, if the volts are less than 16, its the BCM yes Agreed, I understand that he has ttwo new alternators, but what i was saying is, if the ground is bad to the alternator / regulator side then the regulator will try and pull a ground from the nearest point it can thus overheating the regulator and blowing it up.. I had this issue with my Mustang GT and the ignition module not grounding and blowing up modules 10 at a time... But next time it says that leave the car on and test the battery voltage with the car on to verify it is a high voltage condition... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 On the 92, there is a powe lead, and a connector that goes to the PCM. The alternator is grounded by the frame in two places, where it is attached to the engine. Not sure what other ground you would be referring to. Does the Mustang have a separate ground line? 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...
fivepointohman Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 On the 92, there is a powe lead, and a connector that goes to the PCM. The alternator is grounded by the frame in two places, where it is attached to the engine. Not sure what other ground you would be referring to. Does the Mustang have a separate ground line? Well the stang actually grouded the distributor and module via the engine inself. When I looked at my 96 caddy I seen there was a black wire within the hareness which by standards should be a ground... for this car to be spiking 16+ volts something is either damaging the regulator and or the PCM is asking the regulator to open up thinking there is a crazy load... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Yes but according to the manual, if the BCM is screwed up, there is NO spiking voltage, its being reported wrong to the PCM by the BCM. That is why I asked him to look at the volts next time this occurs, if it is 16 volts +, then put a volt meter on the battery, if it is NOT 16 volts +, then the system is in fact working normally, but the BCM is reporting the WRONG information to the PCM. They say to replace the BCM if that is the case. We are going to have to ask this fellow to go out and buy an inexpensive volt meter from Radio Shack or Home Depot and check the battery voltage next time this happens, to see what is ACTUALLY happening 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...
fivepointohman Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Yes but according to the manual, if the BCM is screwed up, there is NO spiking voltage, its being reported wrong to the PCM by the BCM. That is why I asked him to look at the volts next time this occurs, if it is 16 volts +, then put a volt meter on the battery, if it is NOT 16 volts +, then the system is in fact working normally, but the BCM is reporting the WRONG information to the PCM. They say to replace the BCM if that is the case. We are going to have to ask this fellow to go out and buy an inexpensive volt meter from Radio Shack or Home Depot and check the battery voltage next time this happens, to see what is ACTUALLY happening Yes I would say that is the best thing to do in this case... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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