This is topic Battery? Alternator Problem in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by 1992 SILVER BULLET (Member # 2678) on :
 
I'm not sure what exactly is the problem. [Confused] And I have all new parts. I put in a new battery, and also a new alternator. I do have a good stereo system but i unhooked it because I was having problems with this. And my battery is still draining. It starts right up when I put the new battery in it, but after a couple of starts, the battery seems to get low. And then eventually dies. I'm desperate and fustrated. Any help would be apprecicated. [Frown] Thanks everyone

[ October 29, 2003, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: 1992 SILVER BULLET ]
 
Posted by Black94 5.0 (Member # 655) on :
 
Go to your local Kragen/local parts store and have them do a load test on the battery and then see how many amps the alternator is putting out...They can do the test outside on the car..
 
Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :
 
yeah, kragen's kicks ass for the free help like that. It's possible that you have a bad battery or alt. [Frown]
 
Posted by 1992 SILVER BULLET (Member # 2678) on :
 
well I went outside to start the car up, and the car didn't turn over. So I couldn't even get the car to kragen. [Confused] It seems like the battery is getting drained by something. but like i said earlier, I do have a new alternator and the battery is new. What the hell is going on. [Confused] [Confused]
 
Posted by Jdub07 (Member # 2728) on :
 
Do the dash lights or head lights come on? Are they bright or dim if they do? My Explorer did the same thing and it turned out to be the starter. It would work a couple times then nothing. I replaced the battary and tested the alternator and it was all good,...go to start it and it still wouldn't start. Then took the starter to kragen and tested it and the starter turned over but after a few consecutive tests it died... new starter and it fired right up.
 
Posted by 91sleeper (Member # 779) on :
 
Obviousley something is using the power from the battery while your car is off. Do you have an alarm? What have you hooked up electrical wise that didn't come on the car?
 
Posted by 1992 SILVER BULLET (Member # 2678) on :
 
I really can't tell if the lights are dim or not, but i would say yes they are dim. battery is low right now. but i'll try to get to the starter in the next day or two. do you have any problems with your explorer now that the starter has been changed.
 
Posted by 91sleeper (Member # 779) on :
 
dbl post

[ October 29, 2003, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: 91sleeper ]
 
Posted by 1992 SILVER BULLET (Member # 2678) on :
 
i do have an alarm but it is unhooked right now because of the problem.
 
Posted by 91sleeper (Member # 779) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 1992 SILVER BULLET:
i do have an alarm but it is unhooked right now because of the problem.

You haven't wired anything else into the car? So your alarm and stereo is completley disconnected and it's still having the same problem?
 
Posted by 1992 SILVER BULLET (Member # 2678) on :
 
yup, same problem. everything is disconnected. in the post earlier, they said it can possible be the starter.

[ October 29, 2003, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: 1992 SILVER BULLET ]
 
Posted by Jdub07 (Member # 2728) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 1992 SILVER BULLET:
I really can't tell if the lights are dim or not, but i would say yes they are dim. battery is low right now. but i'll try to get to the starter in the next day or two. do you have any problems with your explorer now that the starter has been changed.

I don't know if its the starter in your case but in my case it was. The Explorer is fine to this day and hasn't needed another part since the starter over a year ago. If your battary is showing that it is low then I doubt its the starter. More like a drain like 91sleeper said. Try turning on the head lights and see if they are dim or bright...or when you open your door if the dome light is bright or dim...in my case these light were bright leading me to beleive that at least the battary was good.

Also if you have your radio and alarm "disconnected" you may have some hacked wires touching things they shouldn't be.

Black94 5.0 dignosed my Explorer I wouldn't have figured it out until replacing a ton of things I didn't need to. Try and pin point what the problem is before buying parts.

good luck [patriot]
 
Posted by 1992 SILVER BULLET (Member # 2678) on :
 
thanks alot for the info, and i'll keep you posted.
 
Posted by High Output (Member # 2249) on :
 
Deep cycle batteries tend to do the job right.

Make shure your idle is at 1000 rpm or you can adjust it a little over 1000.The adjuster screw is under the throttle body,adjust clock wise for high rpm or counter clock wise for low rpm.

Make shure your starter is not loose.The starter has one bolt on the top and one bolt on the bottom.Through out the years the starters brackets were the bolts go in tend to break.

Make shure you have good ground straps.

Check your starter silinoid if its not broken.

Check electrical cables,there not supposed to be loose.

[ October 29, 2003, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: High Output ]
 
Posted by 1992 SILVER BULLET (Member # 2678) on :
 
i'll do that highoutput. and i'll get back to you.
 




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