Volvo 8.1 GI-E Charging Issue

[dn549]

I just purchased a 2004 Chris Craft 25 Launch with a Volvo 8.1 GI-E and am not sure if there is an issue with the batteries charging or not.

Symptom: Voltage does not register on the gauge on the dash. It is always stuck at 10 volts.

Trouble shooting done:
1) Took batteries to get tested. They were bad so I replaced them. Still no registration on gauge.

2) Started Engine.
- Checked voltage from Red terminal on alternator to Ground and got 14 volts.
- Checked voltage from Red terminal to one of the pivot pins on the alternator pivot bolts I did not get a reading.

3) Turned battery switch from both to off and the engine turned off.

4) Turned the battery switch from off to both and there was no voltage reading from the Red terminal to ground where it was registering before.

I thought when the engine key was turned on, it should register voltage on the gauge? Is this a bad assumption?

Other numbers on the engine tag 3869262 40121233238

Where do I go from Here?

Thanks.

 

[tommays]

Re: Volvo 8.1 GI-E Charging Issue

3) Turned battery switch from both to off and the engine turned off.


That is a bad thing and may have killed the Alternator



You just need to measure voltage at the Batterys with the motor running and the switch on BOTH and you should be in 13.8 + range if it is chargeing

 

[dn549]

Re: Volvo 8.1 GI-E Charging Issue

Is there a reason the voltage is not registering on the dash gauge? How do I troubleshoot this issue?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo 8.1 GI-E Charging Issue

You may have wiped out the voltage regulator in the alternator by turning the switch to off. It may have already been gone though.

With your meter, measure the voltage at the input terminals to the gauge. It could be the gauge or the wire from the ignition switch to the gauge. The gause is supposed to show the voltage once the ignition is turned on.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo 8.1 GI-E Charging Issue

4) Turned the battery switch from off to both and there was no voltage reading from the Red terminal to ground where it was registering before.

As you have found out, that will kill an alternator.

Originally, when you did have power there (before shutting off the battery switch) indicated to me that the alternator was working fine at that point.
The chances are hight that you have a bad gauge in the instrument panel.
All you need to do is take the purple wire and the black wire off the volt meter on your helm gauge, and check it with your meter. both running and not running with the key switch on.

 

[dn549]

Re: Volvo 8.1 GI-E Charging Issue

Thanks, rechecked the alt. and it is still functioning. Will test the gauges in the am.

Thanks.