Alternator Fuse / Fusible Linkage Help

[hary254]

2007 Pontiac Vibe
my skill: intermediate
Car starts and runs fine until... battery not charging, battery voltage 12.6v , when running doesn't change, no change with increase with RPM
Slowly battery loses charge and fails and car quits...
Battery holds charge via external charger

ALSO:NOT Working No cluster lights or instruments, no radio , no signal lights, no A/C, no day time running lights, no blower fan
Working: hazards lights, cig lighter, dome light, brake lights, head lights, wipers,

What I have done: inspected wiring/grounds...no obvious issues
replaced alternator fuse (original looked fine)
replaced fusible link (original looked fine)
checked all fuses in both fuse box... all good
charged battery/ check voltage (after charge 12.6 also running 12.6 then degrades)
I also looked at 2004 power source electrical diagram....nothing seems to match if it is an issue with alternator fuse brake lights shouldn't or cig /lighter but they do..... this could be just the wrong diagram... if any one has one... send it along

So any thoughts? alternator? (its relatively new) mystery fuse issue? wiring from alternator to battery / fuse box is bad/ECM

Cool
G

[BustedVibe]

My first inclination would be have to have the alternator tested.
Before I got my vibe, I had to replace an alternator on my dodge stratus, and while my symptoms were nowhere near as bad as this, they were kind of similar. My radio display started going funky (the radio even cut on/of) my dash lights would dim, headlights would dim, etc.

If you've checked everything else and it looks good, I'd say checking the alternator itself is the next step.
Did you also check your drive belt? Could it be a bad tensioner or something making it just loose enough to charge like crap?

[hary254]

Thanks....on it

I have checked the belt....seems tight, good shape. No odd noises from alternator, spins freely....car last about 35 min running before it fails...

Dimming seems more like alternator as with your truck....mine certain electronics just stopped working all together....

That being said... the alternator may be my next move

Cool
G

[hary254]

I have spoken with a mechanic whom believes the issue is not with the alternator but something else... suggested I take a good look at the wiring in the fuse box...

so here I go....

Thoughts anyone?

G

[Chiadog]

Did you test the fuses in the interior fuse panel - it's located under the dash above the drivers knees. I had a similar situation with my 05 Base when the AM1 fuse blew in the interior fuse panel.

[hary254]

So THANKS!...

I originally checked that fuse on side of the road.... except this time instead of checking the fuse in low light under the dash i crawled out and used a magnifying glass and good light..... fuse was blown... and one other fuse was misplaced..

All fixed and lessons learned

Cool
G

[BustedVibe]

Glad you got it working again.