The Top Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Resource

Join the best E39A 1991-1992 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 community and document your GVR4 journey.

  • Software Upgraded - Reset Your Password to Login
    In order to log in after the forum software change, you need to reset your password. If you don't have access to the email address you used to register your GVR4.org account, you won't be able to reset your password. In that case, follow the instructions here to regain access to the forum.

Electrical problems

971of1000

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
100
Location
joplin, mo
I have had problems with the car starting after sitting for any extended period of time. I have recently put in a saturn alternator, a new battery, extra grounds from the engine to the frame, along with putting the battery in the trunk and grounding it to the frame via 2 gauge wire. I was reading 13.1 volts with the car running and 12.4 running with the lights on. Any tips or help would be very appreciated.
 

prove_it

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2008
Messages
4,201
Location
Sioux Falls, SD
Either that or the alternator is bad. Sounds like it's not hitting full field when you turn the loads on.
 

971of1000

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
100
Location
joplin, mo
Are you referring to the ground on the battery or another ground. Would running a ground from the alternator to the frame help at all?
 

656of1000

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
292
Location
Phoenixville, PA
Quote:
Would running a ground from the alternator to the frame help at all?



Since the alternator is already grounded through the case and to the engine block, adding a ground wouldn't help any.
Where are you measuring the 13.1 volts? At the battery, or a gauge in the car? I know that if a gauge is hooked up to thin gauge dash wires, the reading can be off. Checking from the battery is the best place to check voltage.
What gauge wire is your positive cable to the battery? Could it be to thin?
 

971of1000

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
100
Location
joplin, mo
I checked it on the battery itself. I am running a 2gauge wire from the back of the car to the front. I am going to pull fuses tonight from everything and start checking.
 

971of1000

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
100
Location
joplin, mo
still have no clue what is going on. the fuses are all in good shape.
 

13.1 is pretty weak even at idle, is the Saturn alt wired up correctly? Isn't it supposed to be a one-wire self exciting alternator? It should be showing at least 13.5 at idle, and if you rev it to about 2k it should be around 14.6. Which Saturn alt is it? What was its original application? I'm not real familiar with a saturn alt swap, perhaps I missed that bit of tech somewhere, but what is the benefit of that over the Mitsu alt?
 

971of1000

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
100
Location
joplin, mo
ran a test last night and the culprit was the ignition switch fuse. any idea what would be drawing power behind the ignition switch besides the ecu, power transistor, coil pack, tps, iac? i am getting on alldata at work now but any help would be appreciated.
 

971of1000

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
100
Location
joplin, mo
alternator is drawing power. thanks for you guys help
 

971of1000

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
100
Location
joplin, mo
pulled the alternator and had it tested at the local alternator shop and it is fine. i am really stumped now. anyone have any ideas on problems they have had?
 

971of1000

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
100
Location
joplin, mo
where do the wires from the alternator clip come from? i am running a saturn alternator and am wondering if the wire clip comes straight from the ecu. if it does, i would think i may have a short in the wiring or the ecu itself.
 
Support Vendors who Support the GVR-4 Community
Boosted Fabrication ECM Tuning ExtremePSI Fuel Injector Clinic Jacks Transmissions JNZ Tuning Kiggly Racing Morrison Fabrications RixRacing RockAuto RTM Racing STM Tuned

Recent Forum Posts

Top