2004 Ion 2 Odd behavior after alternator replacement

[edwardslabs]

I recently had the alternator replaced on my Ion. Now there is a very odd behavior where every time the car starts cold the entire electrical system goes through some sort of reset. Here is the sequence of events:

Engine Cold Start

1. Pwr str appears in the information panel on the dash. Power steering doesn't work.
2. The AC/Cabin fan turns off even though the dial is on.
3. The car can not be moved out of park.
4. Other electrical items such as windshield wipers do not work
5. Radio does work.
6. After 3-5 minutes all at once everything electrical turns back on.
7. At this point the car is driveable but once it shifts into high gear it will not down shift. This makes moving from a stopped position slow.
8. Turn the car off and on again and everything runs perfectly.

The check engine light is on and I had typed the codes out, but somehow the file got deleted from my phone so I will have to get them later today.

I do remember codes related to High voltage being listed.

Has anyone else seen behavior like this?

[2006 ion2]

You fried the bcm and steering module. Neither thing likes high voltage. Fix the high voltage condition (after confirming with a voltmeter), then go from there.

[edwardslabs]

Follow Up

I took the car back to the shop that had replaced the alternator. Apparently the refurbished alternator was outputting 18V while idling which was causing the computer resets.

Luckily no other damage seems to have occurred and the repair was covered under warranty.