Have a 1997 dodge stratus, ive changed out the alternator, and the pcm (voltage regulator in pcm) and battery.. battery light still on and alternator output is at about 12volts.. any help please

Did you test for B+ voltage at heavier gage wire on the back of the alternator ? Also pin 1 at the connector, a orange with dark green stripe wire should have B+ voltage . Fuse #25 20amp in the under hood fuse box. The heavier gage wire has a fusible link in the wire , comes from starter solenoid . The last wire in the connector , a dark green wire comes from the PCM - engine computer . You can replace the alternator how ever many times you like , but if there is any B+ voltage at the place's I mentioned it's not going to charge ! Plus if the PCM is turning it on it's not going to work . There are videos on youtube for testing charging systems.

Voltage is regulated within a module (old school voltage regulator) usually internal failure in the module (PCM) provided all wiring is in working order, have it scanned for faults and alternator output to be sure

ok that is NOT a battery light, its a CHARGE light!
it comes on and means the battery is not CHARGING.
(the pcm knows this for a fact, in fact IT turned the lamp on.... a key fact.)
any shop can measure the voltage and tell you that in 5 min flat.
he'd

1. open hood, measure battery, ah, 11vdc. so he jumper starts engine. it starts (cables removed now)
2. the meter back to battery terms, and its not 13.3 to 15vdc.
3. he saw 11v. running. oops. that is WRONG.
4. so he now knows the alternator is bad, or the alternator hates the battery,(can happen)
5. on ours we can hot wire the alternator to see it go full on, this is called FULL FIELDING and ALT, i dont teach you that, because you will hurt yourself or car.
6. The PCM on many cars runs the alternator, in fact there is on inside alt, regulator the PCM does that. so can be bad.
7. if you had before tested your old battery it would have passed.
8. if you had tested the old alternate (free in any auto store) it too would have passed, (now they are new) so that leaves wires and and last PCM bad.
9. your pcm pin C1-8 conrols ALT pin 2. field . at all times.
10. that wire is dark green.
11. the alternator is very tricky here( pcm brain side) it will drop the battery charging off line if the battery cables are bad. or any wires related to battery cables, grounds or bad wiring on rear of ALT.
12. the Same is true if the PCM thinks the battery is shorted or open or has insane internal high resistance. (bad batteries)
13. for current overload, and for OVER VOLTAGE.
14. that is about it. there is more, but that is all covered in you missing FSM.

Go through few Alternator related solved Solutions including replacement of alternator.Select and Click the link below:----How to replace alternator? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-alternator-on-gmc-sonoma.html
-----------------
How to test alternator on Dodge Stratus?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-test-alternator-on-dodge-stratus.html

----------------
How to test and replace Alternator on Audi A4 Car models?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-test-and-replace-alternator-on.html

-----------------

How to Remove Voltage Regulator on Car?

http://vwrepairhelp.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-remove-voltage-regulator-on-car.html

HOW TO REPLACE AN ALTERNATOR BELT

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-replace-alternator-belt.html

---------------

How to monitor Vehicles charging system? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-monitor-vehicles-charging-system.html

----------
Car Alternator making noise? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-alternator-making-noise.html

-----------
After replacing Alternator, the battery indicator light Comes ON dash?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/after-replacing-alternatorthe-battery.html

----------

How to inspect Vehicles Alternator?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-inspect-vehicles-alternator.html

---------

How to Test Vehicles Alternator?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-test-vehicles-alternator.html

---------
How to Service Vehicles Alternator?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-service-vehicles-alternator.html

How to Replace Alternator? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-alternator.html

-------
Alternator testing? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/alternator-testing.html--------- Cars electrical system is pulsating? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/cars-electrical-system-is-pulsating.html------ 1998 Ford F150 pickup Battery Drains overnight due to Alternator? Alternator drains car battery? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/1998-ford-f150-pickup-battery-drains.html------- 2002 Ford Focus sits over night and battery goes dead? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-ford-focus-sits-over-night-and.html--------- Charging system problem on Chrysler LHS car? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/charging-system-problem-on-chrysler-lhs.html---------- How to replace alternator 1997 Dodge Stratus? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-alternator-1997-dodge.html------- How to replace Alternator on Mitsubishi Lancer http://www.howtorepairguide.com/2012/10/how-to-replace-alternator-on-mitsubishi.html
---------

These details will help.
For more help.Keep updated.
Thanks.
--------

1997 DODGE DAKOTA CHARGING SYSTEM
OPERATION:
The amount of amperage produced by the alternator is controlled by the Electronic Voltage Regulator (EVR) circuitry within the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
EVR circuitry is connected in series with the alternator field driver terminal and ground. A Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS), located in the battey tray under the battery, is used to sense battery temperature.
Sensed battery temperature and data from monitored line voltage is used by the PCM to adjust the battery charging rate. This is accomplished by cycling the ground path to control the strenght of the alternator magnetic field.
The PCM then compensates and regulates alternator amperage output accordingly.
If a problem is sensed in a monitored circuit, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be stored in PCM memory and the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) (commonly refered to as the "check engine light") will be illuminated, providing certain criteria have been met.
DTCs can be read using Chrysler's Diagnostic Readout Box (DRB-III) or a generic scan tool.
When diagnosing any problem concerning the charging system on this vehicle, it is recommended that you begin by scanning the PCM for fault codes in order to eliminate certain possibilities and provide a more accurate and timely diagnosis.
If you have any fault codes pertaining to your charging system, please post them in a reply on this page and I will be happy to guide you through the diagnosis process.

It could be the computer (PCM) because the voltage
regulator is contained within the PCM. There is also
a battery temperature sensor as well as the charging
circuit. Special equipment is needed to check out
these components, so I think the dealer is your best
bet.

Check the voltage on battery with a volt meter with car running. Voltage should be between 14-15 volts. If not then the pcm on car is causing the problem. The pcm (power control module is regulating the voltage from the alternator and you will need to carry it to a shop to see if the pcm can be reset or replaced. If the voltage is correct then the battery is at fault and you will need to replace the battery. Any battery that is a least 4 years old should be replaced and would not hold a charge. Hope this will help you.

The voltage is regulated by the pcm (power control module ) on the truck. You cannot make any adjustments, removed or tampered with in any way to the pcm. Only a dodge dealer can check it out to see what the problem is with the pcm. Hope this will help you.

It may be that the alternator is not capable of supplying the power needed to run the engine, accessories and lights for long periods. It may be able to supply power for daytime running but lights, especially headlamps, draw a lot of power. Have the alternator output checked with everything turned on and check the output at the back of the alternator AND across the battery. You may also have a voltage drop from the alternator to the battery which is why I say check the alt at both ends of the output circuit. Be careful when undertaking this, moving parts and fans etc WILL remove bodily parts..

1st clean the terminals
if that doesnt help try cleaning the battery (properly)
then try slow charging it
if none of these work id say get a new battery cosidering the ave. battery life is like 4-7 years