30 minutes will do the trick. I haven’t disconnected any longer then that for a lobotomy.


Just a random thought, how old is the serpentine belt and tensioner? The tensioner pulley might be failing.

 

The belt has 13,000 miles on it and looked like new when I had it off to install the new alternator. The tensioner is good, too, and spun freely.
The belt contacts the compressor, crank pulley, tensioner, and alternator. The belt is easy to remove when you have the splash panel off.

Suggestion to those replacing the belt- soak the belt in 303 for 30 minutes before installing for longer service life - https://www.goldeagle.com/product/30...ce-protectant/

 

Thanks, I’ve corrected my reference to that pulley.

 

I had a very similar experience. The battery warning light would occasionally come on, just for a few seconds. No diveability issues, no flickering systems, everything seemed normal. A charging system test at O'Reilly's showed a bad diode in the alternator. It's a free test, only takes a few minutes.

 

A bad diode in a new alternator? Just my luck! Is that part sold separate? I'll replace it myself rather than go through the hassle of returning the alternator to Summit Racing.
I have had the battery disconnected for 1.5 hours, and am getting ready to take it for a test drive.
Thanks for sharing the information!

 

It is possible to replace the diode.

 

The diode is under the hood? I thought that it would be in the alternator. Does anyone know exactly where this is under the hood? I'll see what Google says.

 

I found this video that describes all of the fuse blocks in the HHR. Unfortunately, there is no alternator diode under the hood. If I am wrong, please correct me.

 

A. the "ECM voltage" is NOT battery voltage. When the engine is running it is the alternator output (which varies by need) when the engine is off it is the battery voltage.
B. the alternator diodes are inside the alternator. Their job is to convert AC to DC. There are actually 4 of them forming a Wheatstone bridge.
C. 12 volts is a dead battery.

 

No, the diode is internal, I had to get a new alternator.

Summit does have great customer service.

But first things first, get the test done.