pwmin Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 For some time now my car has been showing the ABS lights (Trac Off, ANTI-LOCK, SVS, and BRAKE). It was very intermittent a while ago, but has been increasing in frequency where now about every other time I start the car they're on. Before I would shut off and restart and they'd be gone for a week and I'd have to look for stored instead of current codes, but now it comes on a lot. A couple times it was the security light, but I haven't seen that in a couple months. codes: C1236 Low System Voltage C1278 LF ESB will not hold motor ??? C1286 EBCM/EBTCM turned on the red brake warning indicator U1300 Class 2 Data Link Low It's reading about 11.5-12.0 Volts normal, 10.5 V under load and 13.0-13.5 V while running. I really wish this thing had a voltage gauge instead of a dummy light. It's enough that everything works fine still, but I don't want it to totally crap out on me and leave me stranded. Damn brakes are squeaking again, too. Maybe time for rotors. The Centric pads got rid of the noise for a while, but it's back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 It's reading about 11.5-12.0 Volts normal, 12.6--12.7 is open circuit voltage for a FULLY CHARGED battery. 12.5 is 1/4 discharged. 12.2 is 1/2 dead! 12.0 or less = REAL PROBLEMS. The FIRST thing you need to do is to clean and charge the battery. Best to have the battery tested. 10.5 V under load What kind of load??? and 13.0-13.5 V while running. I'd have expected closer to 14--14.2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white4d96 Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 Um, what? And 13-13.5V charging on a stock W is normal. I saw that until I did the big III on my car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94 olds vert Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 Yeah 13.4 volts is correct. But I better get 13.4 with a new alternator in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlassdude96 Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 you should be getting over 14 volts with the engine running Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white4d96 Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Not through crappy GM wiring you won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlassdude96 Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 that what my car puts out stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Mine measures ~14.3v with the car running... Thats when the alternator was working... I think too many times at 6000RPM killed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Not through crappy GM wiring you won't. So fix the wiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white4d96 Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 I did as a matter of fact, and got 14.7 running, with 15+ cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo090 Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 My 97 Lumina also has a 13.5 volt charge. The problem you speak off sounds familiar. I used to always get a random ABS light every now and then and it would go away on the next start up. About 4 months later my volts light came on along with the ABS. I quickly drove to the mechanic and the alternator was putting out only 11 volts, alternator died and I had it replaced. Do you hear any whine from the serpentine area? How many miles does your car have and have you ever changed the alternator. That part is going to go bad atleast once in a cars life through my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwmin Posted August 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 (edited) I'm a bit confused if it's fine or not. I thought it should be 14 w/ it running (I thought 13.8-14.3 was the normal spec)...I can check my mom's 01 and see what hers is putting out. "Load" is using a carbon pile battery load tester. I do want to upgrade the factory wiring but I just don't have the time right now. My 97 Lumina also has a 13.5 volt charge. The problem you speak off sounds familiar. I used to always get a random ABS light every now and then and it would go away on the next start up. About 4 months later my volts light came on along with the ABS. I quickly drove to the mechanic and the alternator was putting out only 11 volts, alternator died and I had it replaced. Do you hear any whine from the serpentine area? How many miles does your car have and have you ever changed the alternator. That part is going to go bad atleast once in a cars life through my experience.I only hear ps and sc whine. I have no idea ...I'd have to check the alternator to see if it's original or not. I've only had this car for a bit over half a year...it's at 149k right now. Edited August 23, 2011 by pwmin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white4d96 Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 I would have the battery tested as well just to make sure everything's up to par. FWIW adding in a run of wire from the alt to the battery or your aux post won't take long at all. If you want I can take pics of mine so you see how it's done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 I did as a matter of fact, and got 14.7 running, with 15+ cold. I'm not sure how you managed that. I'd have expected the alternator to be regulated to 14.2--14.3 or close to it. I thought it should be 14 w/ it running (I thought 13.8-14.3 was the normal spec)... That's what I'd have said. 10.5 V under load "Load" is using a carbon pile battery load tester. Completely meaningless unless you measured the amperage draw. You can add enough load with a carbon pile to drop the volts to 5 or 6 (or lower); or have so little load that the voltage is over 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwmin Posted August 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I would have the battery tested as well just to make sure everything's up to par. FWIW adding in a run of wire from the alt to the battery or your aux post won't take long at all. If you want I can take pics of mine so you see how it's done. I'm sure I could figure it out...I've done upgrades on both my old GP's, but a pic would be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwmin Posted August 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 of course now that I get a new alternator (actually delphi reman from napa), I haven't seen the light since...still going to install it, though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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