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Re: Battery light and 11.1 volts on SAAB '92 9k CS--- HELP!! Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Tue, 9 Jan 2001 09:28:27 In Reply to: Battery light and 11.1 volts on SAAB '92 9k CS--- HELP!!, Terry, Tue, 9 Jan 2001 04:14:55 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Most probably the brushes on the voltage regulator are shot. The easiest way out is to replace the voltage regulator. The next possiblity is that a diode in the alternator has failed, but that is a lot less likely.
Replacing the voltage regulator is easy, kind of. The regulator is on the back of the alternator, held on with two screws. The tough part is the back of the alternator is tricky to get to.
There are two approaches to replacing the regulator. It's worth trying the easy method first - it may not work, but if it does, you're golden.
Easy method - remove the ground connection to the battery for safety (you do have your radio code, don't you?) Jack up and support the right front of the car, and remove the tire. If you look in through the hole in the fender inner line where the driveshaft comes out, you'll see the alternator. Reach behind it, and you'll feel the voltage regulator - it's a diamond shape. Of course, you've picked up a new one at an autoparts store already, (about $50) so you know what it looks like. It's held in by two screws (usually phillips head), with a thin wire off of one screw. If things go well, you can loosen the screws, remove the old regulator, stick in the new regulator (don't forget that wire!!!!!), and be back on the road in 30 minutes. This is a little tricky because you have to do it by feel, but it is by far the quickest.
If you can't get the screws out, it gets harder. You'll need to remove the alternator. This requires removing the fender inner liner (not a big job, just a bunch of nuts and screws holding it in place), about a 20 minute job. You'll also need to remove the serpentine belt, which requires some special tooling and/or tricks to compress the automatic belt tensioner. You can then remove the alternator, and remove the regulator with the alternator on the bench.
DO NOT continue driving the car. You are running entirely on the battery. At some point the battery will be too low to keep the car running, and it will stop, usually in the middle of an intersection. If you do want/need to limp it to a garage, first put a charge on the battery with a charger. Next, drive with as few accessories on as possible - no headlights (do this in the day!) seat heaters off, fan off, A/C in ECON (the A/C clutch takes power, and the A/C comes on even in cold weather). Lastly, try to stay off the brakes - brake lights take a lot of power. Stop when you need to, but if you're sitting at a light, set the parking brake and keep your foot of the brake pedal.
Good luck!
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