Is Regulator internal on ZL1 Alternator?

Jimabe · 04-05-2023, 08:15 PM

Put my ZL1 away last year with the "service stabilitac/service rear axle" message. I know this comes up for a variety of reasons (have experience w/a few). I just changed the alternator before putting up and noticed that my escort radar detector flashed message "hi voltage - shutting down". I unplugged and it kept doing...i turned my P3 gauge to volts and it goes up to hi 15's the little i watched it. Thinking the regulator may be bad? Assuming it's in the alternator and got a bad one...anyone know for sure if it's internal?

Thanks

Stephen12ZL1 · 04-05-2023, 08:33 PM

ecu controls the alternator and the voltage required as the alternator charges only when needed to reduce parasitic drag

Rock-It Man · 04-06-2023, 07:52 AM

Why did you change the alternator in the first place? In other words, what's the pre-existing condition?

Vigilante375 · 04-06-2023, 08:08 AM

99% of the time, its the battery when it comes to that message.

Jimabe · 04-06-2023, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

Why did you change the alternator in the first place? In other words, what's the pre-existing condition?

Battery died, but had charging system error message come up (can't remember exactly what screen said). Put in new battery, and had same charging error come up shortly after i put new battery in. We tested the alt after and it was bad (it went through an oil down from front main seal blow on dyno...sure that didn't help it)...

I didn't put OEM back in...went with more expensive/higher amp unit, but guessing the regulator is bad? Don't know what else would cause hi voltage...

Rock-It Man · 04-06-2023, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimabe

Battery died, but had charging system error message come up (can't remember exactly what screen said). Put in new battery, and had same charging error come up shortly after i put new battery in. We tested the alt after and it was bad (it went through an oil down from front main seal blow on dyno...sure that didn't help it)...

I didn't put OEM back in...went with more expensive/higher amp unit, but guessing the regulator is bad? Don't know what else would cause hi voltage...

Well, based on many accounts of electronic gremlins caused by non-OEM parts, my first suspicion would be that you should go back to an OEM alternator. These modern cars rely on very sensitive low voltage logic circuits which do not play well with non-standard parts.

As has been mentioned, the charging voltage is regulated by a control module OUTSIDE the alternator, and the aftermarket alternator may not be compatible.

04-05-2023, 08:15 PM	#1
Jimabe Drives: 2018 Red ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Spring grove IL Posts: 190	Is Regulator internal on ZL1 Alternator? Put my ZL1 away last year with the "service stabilitac/service rear axle" message. I know this comes up for a variety of reasons (have experience w/a few). I just changed the alternator before putting up and noticed that my escort radar detector flashed message "hi voltage - shutting down". I unplugged and it kept doing...i turned my P3 gauge to volts and it goes up to hi 15's the little i watched it. Thinking the regulator may be bad? Assuming it's in the alternator and got a bad one...anyone know for sure if it's internal? Thanks __________________ Mods: RotoFab Big Gulp, 2" Kooks, Metco 9.1" pulley, Green belt, 103 NW TB, Tune, WeapX Boost Chiller, ADM Coolant reservoir, Jokerz Full Tilt SC Port, Elite E2X Can, Corsa Sport Catback, LED markers, 1LE Tail lights, HO reverse LED's, Red SC Lid, Forgestar 17x11/MickeyT Street R's for Drags

04-05-2023, 08:33 PM	#2
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	ecu controls the alternator and the voltage required as the alternator charges only when needed to reduce parasitic drag __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

04-06-2023, 07:52 AM	#3
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	Why did you change the alternator in the first place? In other words, what's the pre-existing condition?

04-06-2023, 08:08 AM	#4
Vigilante375 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,419	99% of the time, its the battery when it comes to that message.

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