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» Northern California Ford Owners     » Automotive   » Tech Talk   » Need Help & Fast with Dead Bat or Bad Alternator!

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Author Topic: Need Help & Fast with Dead Bat or Bad Alternator!
Jdub07
( O Y O )
Member # 2728

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Okay about a week ago my car wouldn't start so I bought a new battary since mine was over 4 years old. Tonight I put it in and the car fired right up. Then after about 10 min. of idle I took the posotive bat. cable off...car died instantly. Doesn't this mean the Alternator is bad?!?! and that the car was only running on the battary? If so I NEED AN ALTERNATOR BAD! Before Saturday morning!!! CAN ANYONE HELP ME?! 87-93 lx 5.0
Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003  |  :
Quick 88LX
¯
Member # 1950

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That isn't the BEST way to see if your alternator is junk but YES you need a new one bro. I remember way back when I had my '87 I did the same test and my car stayed running; so I needed a new battery and that was it. Come to find out later that removing the + cable while the car is running is NOT a good idea. Oh well. LIVE AND LEARN!!

Get a 3G or the black 140 powermaster [patriot]

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"Men are Made, Not Born"
Car Picture : http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/quick88lx/
Original Member #495. Can I get my number back?

Posts: 1784 | From: Fairfield, CA/Okinawa, Japan | Registered: Oct 2002  |  :
Jdub07
( O Y O )
Member # 2728

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quote:
Originally posted by Quick 88LX:
That isn't the BEST way to see if your alternator is junk but YES you need a new one bro. I remember way back when I had my '87 I did the same test and my car stayed running; so I needed a new battery and that was it. Come to find out later that removing the + cable while the car is running is NOT a good idea. Oh well. LIVE AND LEARN!!

Get a 3G or the black 140 powermaster [patriot]

why isn't it good to pull the + cable off while running? would it be different if I had pulled the - cable off? [Confused]
Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003  |  :
DropTopFox
drama
Member # 1689

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quote:
Originally posted by Quick 88LX:
That isn't the BEST way to see if your alternator is junk but YES you need a new one bro. I remember way back when I had my '87 I did the same test and my car stayed running; so I needed a new battery and that was it. Come to find out later that removing the + cable while the car is running is NOT a good idea. Oh well. LIVE AND LEARN!!

Get a 3G or the black 140 powermaster [patriot]

You mean a chrome 140 amp Powermaster [Wink]

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Posts: 4003 | From: San Bruno | Registered: Aug 2002  |  :
Jdub07
( O Y O )
Member # 2728

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[Frown] help

what if I had taken off the - cable instead of the + cable? are the chances of the car still running better when doing it that way or should I get the same result either way?

Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003  |  :
Camara90
1%
Member # 134

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Its nOT good to pull of either cable, and when doing this test you are supposed to pull off the negative terminal. In the OLD DAYS this was alright do to the fact of cars not bieng computer controled but it is not recomended on newer vehicles. There are many other ways to test your alternator than this. You can check it various ways with a voltmeter by testing voltages and also by testing the diodes inside the alternator. If you cant do this why not go to kragen and let them test it for you for free. Sounds like a better option than frying a computer.

[ January 30, 2004, 12:24 PM: Message edited by: Camara90 ]

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92GT,stock short block,9:1 TFS 170's,perf rpm,custom cam,1 5/8 shorties,C4 trans.
std. 356hp, 350tq
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Posts: 2351 | From: 707 | Registered: Jan 2001  |  :
Jdub07
( O Y O )
Member # 2728

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will do. going to kragen after work!
Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003  |  :
Stimson
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Member # 51

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AutoZone is cheaper than Kragens [Wink]
Posts: 2373 | Registered: Jun 2000  |  :
AL STOCK
Its All Stock
Cuzzon
Member # 1852

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Yeah, same thing with me.. My 3 month old battery died on my without warranty!!!!! So i took it back to the same shop where i got the battery from and tested it on the voltage meter.. It said the battery was average but alernator was readin somewhere in the 11.90s as in the voltage.

But thought the car would be good.. I take it to sacramento the same night driving around @ night the voltage guage was around 8-10volts on the guage on freeway driving.. Parked the car and it wouldnt start.. So i jump started the car and drove it to Kragens and bought the red Optima Cell Battery and its been running OK but i need an alternator bad too...

Im gonna order one soon if anyone doesnt have one [patriot]

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.:: FANATICS ::.

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Posts: 6498 | From: San Bruno | Registered: Sep 2002  |  :
Stimson
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If you get a parts store alternator, make sure you get the life time warranty one. I've had to replace mine 2-3 times already.
Posts: 2373 | Registered: Jun 2000  |  :
Jdub07
( O Y O )
Member # 2728

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kinda in vain but I'm happy for my wallet. Turns out Camero90 was right. Turns out when I pulled the battery cable off while the car running it dicked with the computer some how,..Black945.0 suggested driving on it for about 50 miles are whatever and let the computer try and fix itself. WORKED,...car is running like the day I bought it

Thanks for the advice! Saved me some $$$$$ [worship]

Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003  |  :
BlackNGold
CaliforniaFords.com
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JDUB07~Come over when you get a chance, I bought a new Craftman Multimeter [Big Grin] ...We can check your alternator output, and the TPS on the way to fill up your bottle... [Wink] [Big Grin] ...

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-SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT-

Posts: 5132 | From: Bay Area, CA | Registered: Dec 2001  |  :
Jdub07
( O Y O )
Member # 2728

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quote:
Originally posted by Black94 5.0:
JDUB07~Come over when you get a chance, I bought a new Craftman Multimeter [Big Grin] ...We can check your alternator output, and the TPS on the way to fill up your bottle... [Wink] [Big Grin] ...

I know I know it's been like 3 months or more and I still have yet to fill the bottle. LAME! Did you get the meter at the shop in Newark?
Posts: 7282 | Registered: Apr 2003  |  :
BlackNGold
CaliforniaFords.com
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Check P.M.'s

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-SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT-

Posts: 5132 | From: Bay Area, CA | Registered: Dec 2001  |  :


 
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