Need Help: '97 MPV won't charge. Has new battery and alternator, so what else??? TIA!

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I accidently hit send before finishing the original post.

Need some help with my MPV.

In a nutshell, the charging system is not working. Hooking a
volt meter up to the battery at idle shows about 13-14 volts at
first with the voltage slowly decreasing. The voltage drops to
about 11.5 volts under any kind of load (headlights, A/C,
windshield wipers, etc.).

All fault lights on the dash are normal, except the charging
system light comes on when the voltage starts to drop
significantly. I have noticed the tachometer will also stop
working at this point.

I have seen many posts from others experiencing the exact same
thing on a variety of vehicles, but have not seen anyone reply
with a solution. I have already tried the following:

1. New battery.
2. New alternator.
3. New battery cables.


I have not yet looked at the coil (or whatever cars use these
days) to see if there is a fault there as it was looking like a
typical battery/alternator problem up until now.


Any help would be appreciated.





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"yukoncornel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4KXTe.17481$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I accidently hit send before finishing the original post.
>
> Need some help with my MPV.
>
> In a nutshell, the charging system is not working. Hooking a
> volt meter up to the battery at idle shows about 13-14 volts at
> first with the voltage slowly decreasing. The voltage drops to
> about 11.5 volts under any kind of load (headlights, A/C,
> windshield wipers, etc.).
>
> All fault lights on the dash are normal, except the charging
> system light comes on when the voltage starts to drop
> significantly. I have noticed the tachometer will also stop
> working at this point.
>
> I have seen many posts from others experiencing the exact same
> thing on a variety of vehicles, but have not seen anyone reply
> with a solution. I have already tried the following:
>
> 1. New battery.
> 2. New alternator.
> 3. New battery cables.

Start pulling fuses and relays, one by one until you find that the voltage
doesn't dip.

What's the voltage when the car is running? With a good alternator and
battery cables I'm pretty sure it should read higher that 14.

"yukoncornel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4KXTe.17481$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I accidently hit send before finishing the original post.
>
> Need some help with my MPV.
>
> In a nutshell, the charging system is not working. Hooking a
> volt meter up to the battery at idle shows about 13-14 volts at
> first with the voltage slowly decreasing. The voltage drops to
> about 11.5 volts under any kind of load (headlights, A/C,
> windshield wipers, etc.).
>
> All fault lights on the dash are normal, except the charging
> system light comes on when the voltage starts to drop
> significantly. I have noticed the tachometer will also stop
> working at this point.
>
> I have seen many posts from others experiencing the exact same
> thing on a variety of vehicles, but have not seen anyone reply
> with a solution. I have already tried the following:
>
> 1. New battery.
> 2. New alternator.
> 3. New battery cables.
>
>
> I have not yet looked at the coil (or whatever cars use these
> days) to see if there is a fault there as it was looking like a
> typical battery/alternator problem up until now.
>
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
My guess would be that your new alternator is not working properly. If it
was actually NEW, then that might surprise me. If it was rebuilt, it
wouldn't surprise me at all - most rebuilt stuff these days is garbage. Even
if it was new, a properly running alternator (with properly functioning
internal regulator) should maintain 14.5 volts when the engine is running
over 2000 rpm with all electrical loads on. If it doesn't, it most likely
isn't working right. Your auto parts store should be able to do a
voltage/current test on the alternator under a load - if they can't, find a
new auto parts store.

Also, make sure your engine is grounded to the frame properly. You should be
able to find the frame to engine ground straps - make sure they're intact.
And of course, make sure your alternator belt is tight enough. I've actually
seen them slip, although the serpentine belts rarely slip.
Hope this helps.
Steve