Car tech guys. Need help

[Datawiz]

My Z06 burned up my alternator today after the first run. Came back into the pits, and the alternator was smoking pretty badly. Put water on it to keep it from catching fire.

Auto parts stores do not have them in stock, so I went home and took the alternator out of my C6 and installed it into the Z06 at the track. Even drove the car for 25 miles before taking another lap, and no issues. After taking 2 remaining laps, it now wouldn't charge. Stopped at the auto parts store and got a new battery, and same issue. Would only hover around 11.7 volts.

When I got home, I put that alternator back into the C6, where it was working perfectly yesterday, and I'm getting the exact same issue. 11.5-11.7 volts. It seems my Z06 munched 2 alternators in 1 day. What could be causing that?

TIA :cert:

[Mirroredshades]

Voltage regulator causing an overcurrent. Odds are that at this point, there are more issues.

[Datawiz]

Voltage regulator causing an overcurrent. Odds are that at this point, there are more issues.

Auto parts store said that too. Where is that in the C6?

[Datawiz]

Generator Conn
Your Price: $25.29
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Part Number: PT1136
Manufacturer: ACDELCO GM ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
Length: 2.250 in.
Width: 1.500 in.
Height: 4.000 in.
Availability: In Stock
Notes: {4-Way female black};GM DEALER PRICING;Inline-To Wheel Speed Sensor Conn; Years:2006-2006
Vehicle: 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 V8-427ci 7.0L F/I Vin E (Z06)



Could it be the 4 prong cable? What's this "Inline-To Wheel Speed Sensor" stuff?

[Datawiz]

Some googling seems to indicate that there are speed sensors on the individual tires. Maybe one of mine came loose. Will check tomorrow. Can't check for codes right now, as the battery is disconnected and the alternator is in the DD.

[m and t's77]

Voltage regulator should be built in,been that way since the early seventies.Have you checked that the two alternators were the same part number and same specs.
I get my alternators rebuilt by a local guy,don't trust or know what parts go into a 25 buck unit...

[Datawiz]

Voltage regulator should be built in,been that way since the early seventies.Have you checked that the two alternators were the same part number and same specs.
I get my alternators rebuilt by a local guy,don't trust or know what parts go into a 25 buck unit...

Yes, confirmed they are the same part #. Also, the alternator in each car, was actually in the other car 3 months ago. So I've been running with them switched with no issues until today.

Definitely going to check all 4 wheel speed sensors. Possible one of them is loose or dislodged. Also concerned that it's possible that the part I quoted above may have been fried in the first go around. May have to replace it too.

[m and t's77]

Do you have an ABS code being set? Unless its a GM thing a faulty ABS sensor should have nothing to do with your charging system.Also did you confirm the voltage output by the factory gauge or hook up a dvom directly to the battery.Is your battery in good shape also.

[Datawiz]

Do you have an ABS code being set? Unless its a GM thing a faulty ABS sensor should have nothing to do with your charging system.Also did you confirm the voltage output by the factory gauge or hook up a dvom directly to the battery.Is your battery in good shape also.

Batteries in both cars are brand new. The one in the Z06 is brand new as of today. The C6 was perfect yesterday (battery 2 months old), and now demonstrates the same symptoms as the Z06. The 4-pronged connector to the alternator seems to have reference to wheel speed sensors.

Certainly going to require further research. I'm confident that a replacement alternator in the C6 will put that car back to where it needs to be, I'm just concerned that the Z06 will munch whatever one I put in it unless I find the culprit causing it to get torched.

[m and t's77]

The only thing I can think of in the Z06 is you are racing it and its flat out getting cooked from heat and/or high rpm's.Have other racers either run cold air ducting to it or a heavy-duty unit from a police car or truck.Worth looking into on a racing forum.

[09CTSV]

Check the starter connections. There is a video on YouTube talking about the main lug on the starter being loose causing a charging issue. If you damaged the alternator on the Z it wouldn't charge on the C6.

[Datawiz]

Check the starter connections. There is a video on YouTube talking about the main lug on the starter being loose causing a charging issue. If you damaged the alternator on the Z it wouldn't charge on the C6.

I just replace the starter in the C6, so it's worth looking at the one in the Z06. Makes sense. :seasix:

[RED-85-Z51]

Check for bad grounds...

[VatorMan]

Check for bad grounds...

:iagree:

[Frizzle]

Check for bad grounds...

:iagree:

Had a bad ground once in a car.. it ate up an brand new Alternator in one week.

[JRD77VET]

:iagree:

Had a bad ground once in a car.. it ate up an brand new Alternator in one week.

Frizzle is an electrican. He knows about "electrical theory" :yesnod:

[RED-85-Z51]

Whenever I have any kind of electrical issue...seems like everyone tells me to check my grounds...rarely is the case, but...it has happened a couple times...12v is all one big circle, interrupt that circle/flow of power..and stuff breaks/stops working.

[xXBUDXx]

Check for bad grounds...

And the battery connection on the starter. Those starters are known for poor connections on the solenoid. This very same issue kept me stranded for an entire day.

You can possibly feel the solenoid connection from the top, but jack it up on the right side and the whole starter comes out easily if needed.

[Datawiz]

And the battery connection on the starter. Those starters are known for poor connections on the solenoid. This very same issue kept me stranded for an entire day.

You can possibly feel the solenoid connection from the top, but jack it up on the right side and the whole starter comes out easily if needed.

The starter was the issue in my C6, which I recently replaced, so I'm well versed on where and how to check it.

Tonight's drama:

SO, as we all know, the voltage regulator and the alternator are one device in the Corvette. When I put the alternator back in the C6 after racing yesterday, I started having problems. I put the battery on trickle charge all night and went to my clubhouse 3 times today. Every time, the car started as if the battery was 100%. No issues whatsoever.

That gets me thinking that maybe the voltage regulator is faulty, but that the alternator is still charging the battery...........RONG

Fast forward...I had an autocross club member meeting tonight (about 10 miles from my house). With daylight savings time, I now had to use my headlights. All the way from the house to the restaurant, the voltage finally started dropping gradually. (when fully charged, it still only shows 11.7 volts).

So, getting off of the interstate, I get the ABS and TCS are now shut off. Voltage still dropping, I pull into the restaurant a few miles later and the power steering is now gone. Park the car, shut it off, and try to restart...dead. And, the window is down partially, on and end spot. (can you say sprinklers?)

At this point, I figured I'd have another club member drive me home, and then have my wife bring me back in the morning with the other battery fully charged, and then drive home.

BUT, I got in the car, and it started. So one of the club members connects his battery to mine to "top it off". We did this for a few minutes, and plotted the way back home.

Off we went. Got within 4 miles of my house, and chose to pull into a gas station, as now I'm down to about 7.5-7.7 volts. Nav/Radio now gone, power steering even worse, but headlights still working.

I get out of the car and accidentally shut the door. Key fob is in the cup holder. Security has now been deployed and the car is locked and the car is RUNNING!!!

Call my wife and had her wake my daughter. Talking to my wife about car stuff is useless. (Bear in mind that the Z06 is dead with no battery). Instruct daughter on manual entry process into that car. She gets my tools and two batteries and puts them in my wife's SUV. Wife brings those, plus the spare key to meet me.

While waiting for her to arrive, the headlights finally fail (one at a time), then the engine starts to sputter, than all of a sudden starts revving at about 2,000 rpm. Exhaust starts making odd noises. Club member says it's running lean, meaning injectors no longer have power.

Car then starts to overheat. Steam flowing out all over the place from the closed hood. Praying to God the motor doesn't blow, it finally dies. Wife shows up a few minutes later. Key in the rear hatch. Open driver's door. From there, open the hood, swap out the battery, and the car starts right up with over 11 volts showing. Drove the 4 miles home and parked in the garage. Battery on charger overnight. Will also now charge the other battery tomorrow.

What a nightmare!!!

Cliffs: Car with Electronic Locks and a bad alternator tried to **** me.

[justlookin]

That sucks. Do you think you will have any trouble from it overheating?

[Fastguy]

Yikes! What a nightmare. Just on the really off chance this ever happens again, block the exhaust and stall it.

[Datawiz]

That sucks. Do you think you will have any trouble from it overheating?

Not likely. Car started, and drove (sounded) just fine. I think I dodged a bullet tonight. One would hope that Chevy has considered this contingency in their design of the electronic system.

[Datawiz]

Yikes! What a nightmare. Just on the really off chance this ever happens again, block the exhaust and stall it.

I thought about that. Does the "banana in the tail pipe" really work?

[JRD77VET]

You get a discount on work at the chevy dealer who sponsors your Z06?

I lost my alternator in the suburban towing the boat home from canada one year. 8.8 volts meant a very rough running engine.

Luckily it was just the alternator and the auto parts store in upstate PA had one in stock.

Good luck

[Datawiz]

You get a discount on work at the chevy dealer who sponsors your Z06?

I lost my alternator in the suburban towing the boat home from canada one year. 8.8 volts meant a very rough running engine.

Luckily it was just the alternator and the auto parts store in upstate PA had one in stock.

Good luck

Yes, I get all my parts at cost. Still pay full rate for labor. I like to fix as many things as I can on my own.

[Fastguy]

I thought about that. Does the "banana in the tail pipe" really work?

Yes, an engine is just a giant air pump. Air goes in, air goes out. You block the in or the out, engine stalls.
You just need four really big bananas. :)

[JRD77VET]

Yes, I get all my parts at cost. Still pay full rate for labor. I like to fix as many things as I can on my own.

I like fixing my own stuff too but when it's out my range of expertise, I pay somebody with a clue ( electrical gremlins can be tough )

[Sneaks]

You should be OK with the overheating thing Craig. The strange noises you heard while the engine was running hot were empty cylinders. When it starts overheating, it alternates shutting down cylinders to pump air into them to keep the engine from killing itself. According to GM, you can actually drive up to 50 miles with no coolant, and not cause catastrophic damage to the engine.(I wouldn't want to test that myself)
As for your electrical issue, that's a bitch one to solve. Electrical issues are nothing "short" of pains in the ass. First thing I would look is for loose connections that may be shaking around while your throwing the Z around the course. Start at the starter and make sure everything is snug there.
Not sure about the LS7, but on the LS1/6 there is a ground strap on the rear of the drivers side head (toward the firewall) that can come loose and cause all kinds of havoc. Might be a good place to look also.

[Fastguy]

My guess would be the fans quit which is why it initially overheated. They use a ton of juice. Injectors use very little. Once it is back and running, make sure you refill the coolant.

[simpleman68]

Damn Craig, sorry you're having such a nightmare with this one.

When things get that nutty, it's time to take that bish to the shop.
Scott

[GRN ENVY]

Dang Craig, I wish I would have know you were having car trouble. I was in that area last night, in the area today for classes at the university. Holler if you need any thing or any help tracking down the gremlins.

[island14]

The only thing I can think of in the Z06 is you are racing it and its flat out getting cooked from heat and/or high rpm's.Have other racers either run cold air ducting to it or a heavy-duty unit from a police car or truck.Worth looking into on a racing forum.


Most racers use a larger pulley on the alternator to slow it down some with high RPM.

It is not the problem now, but might have helped to cause it in the beginning.