Captiva Charging System

For non EFI mechanical discussion
Post Reply
brindo
Posts: 199
Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:43 am
Location: Western Queensland

Captiva Charging System

Post by brindo »

So does anyone have the misfortune of having any experience with Holden Captiva charging systems?

Ours is a 2012 diesel, and the battery light came on the other day when the wife was driving. Light had gone out by the time I got to it a week later, but it only had 11.6 volts across the battery. Did a check with the multimeter earthed on the engine block and it was 13.7 volts. Which is strange as the main battery earth to the engine block must be OK as its starts fine.

Anyone have any experience with how long the alternators in these things are good for? It doesn't even have 100000 kms on it yet.
User avatar
Gareth
Posts: 2502
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 8:37 pm
Location: Bacchus Marsh, Vic

Re: Captiva Charging System

Post by Gareth »

Blown battery fuse??? What you're describing doesn't make sense...
According to chemistry, alcohol is a solution...
brindo
Posts: 199
Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:43 am
Location: Western Queensland

Re: Captiva Charging System

Post by brindo »

No it doesn't make sense at all.
I actually ran a temporary earth wire to the block and the voltage came up. This does not make sense either. I did check the resistance of the earth lead to the engine block and it was 0.1 ohms.

But I fitted one of those cheap cigarette volt meters and have been watching the voltage around town. Its generally between the 13 to 14 volts depending on the air cond. But then today, I noticed it drop down to 12.5 volts so was wondering if the alternator is on its way out to cost me some more money.
Charlescrown
Posts: 1831
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:58 am
cars: V8 VR Commodore BT1
LB Lancer 2L turbo & Delco
Starion TBI with Delco
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO4 track car
NA MX5
3 vintage motor bikes
Location: Padstow NSW

Re: Captiva Charging System

Post by Charlescrown »

Your much better off doing a voltage drop test on the earth side when cranking to find the real resistance.
brindo
Posts: 199
Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:43 am
Location: Western Queensland

Re: Captiva Charging System

Post by brindo »

Seems the main earth lug to the engine block being corroded is a common fault on diesel Captivas. Still seems odd that it started fine and the resistance checked out OK. But the connection was definitely no good. Local auto electrician put a new lug on for me using a new threaded boss on the block as the original one broke the bolt off. Our car had the engine out under warranty to do an oil leak, and when it was refitted, they must have cross threaded the earth bolt into the block - that's the beauty of air tools - just cut a new thread. It is charging OK now, but can be quite high. I’m told that when it drops down to 12.5 volts or so is normal as the alternator just goes into float. But it gets up well over 15 volts at times as well.

But less than a week later it started blowing lots of black smoke and flagged the CEL while my wife had the car in Brisbane. RACQ cleared the faults and said it needed a new MAF. Ordered one, and she limped the car back home. I fitted the MAF when I finished my shift, and no difference. So started looking for air leaks after the MAF, and found the hardest to get to intercooler hose has split – it’s the one right above the gearbox. Luckily it’s a common size, so has a piece of silicon hose in there now.

Hopefully this will help someone else.
Attachments
intercooler hose.JPG
User avatar
psyolent
Posts: 1575
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:52 pm
cars: VN S Pack
VX Berlina Series 1
XP Falcon ex Geelong Taxi
RN105 V8 Hilux
VT Series 1 Track Car

Re: Captiva Charging System

Post by psyolent »

Return the MAF to RACQ and get a refund.
Cheers,
Greg aka Sir Burnie Tanington

VX1 Berlina V6, VT1 Berlina V6 (Track), VN1 S V6, Hilux RN105 GMV8, Ford XP 170.
User avatar
oldn64
Posts: 256
Joined: Mon May 28, 2018 5:05 pm
cars: Vq Statesman, VE SS wagon, VE Sv6, VY SV8, VL Belina
Location: Country Victoria on a direct road to WINTON

Re: Captiva Charging System

Post by oldn64 »

If you read the hose properly it was doomed from the start.....
I has an arrow and the letters CRK, LOL
Attachments
Crack.JPG
Crack.JPG (27.34 KiB) Viewed 8222 times
User avatar
vlad01
Posts: 7772
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2012 6:41 pm
cars: VP I S
VP I executive
VP II executive
VP II executive #2
VR II executive
Location: Kyneton, Vic

Re: Captiva Charging System

Post by vlad01 »

That's just the rubber type, CR is chloroprene rubber. Aka neoprene

Can be suitable but depending on quality and exact formulation.
I'm the director of VSH (Vlad's Spec Holden), because HSV were doing it ass about.
User avatar
Holden202T
Posts: 10308
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:05 pm
Location: Tenambit, NSW
Contact:

Re: Captiva Charging System

Post by Holden202T »

I think hes trying to say CRK = crack :P
User avatar
oldn64
Posts: 256
Joined: Mon May 28, 2018 5:05 pm
cars: Vq Statesman, VE SS wagon, VE Sv6, VY SV8, VL Belina
Location: Country Victoria on a direct road to WINTON

Re: Captiva Charging System

Post by oldn64 »

Holden202T wrote:I think hes trying to say CRK = crack :P
Give the man a cuepy doll....

;)

Cheers
oldn64
Post Reply