Okay I bought a 90 ford thunderbird a few weeks ago. He said there was a low battery then the car finally died and couldn't get it started. So I put a new alternator AND battery in it. Every now and then the voltage gauge would show it was above normal. but most the time it was a little below. I was driving it today (at night) and after 45 min the volts went to the red.. then I got to the place and shut my car off. Now I can't get it started!!! I don't understand what else could it be?!
2007-03-23 20:14:20 · 7 answers · asked by preppyhater69 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Fixed my friend's mustang that was doing the SAME thing...AFTER he took it to 3 places and replaced a bunch of stuff. The ground cable from the battery to the motor was not grounding to the motor. Easy test... if you have access to a multimeter...
Get a multimeter and with the car running check these things:
1. Voltage across battery terminals should be around 14v
2. Ground the negative lead from the meter to a good metal spot directly on the motor then touch the positive lead from the meter to the positive connection on the alternator...should read the same, around 14v.
3. Put the positive lead to the alternator connection and the negative lead to the negative battery terminal. Again, should read around 14v. This is where my friend's mustang failed.
4. Negative lead grounded to motor, positive lead to positive battery terminal...14v again
If you're not getting 14v across all these points you probably have a bad cable. Less than $10 for the cable and cleaning up the bolt and the area around where the ground cable bolts to the motor and it was fixed... Hope this helps!
2007-03-25 18:03:43 · answer #1 · answered by cnc_cut 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be the large wire from the alternator to the battery grounding out. Could be the 12v going to the alternator from the ingintion switch, or the switch itself, is bad. The charge line may go through a fusible link that may be blown.
Sorry, can't help too much without a wiring diagram.
It wouldn't be a load causing the drain, since the battery is losing power while the car is running. It has to be in the charging circuit.
2007-03-23 20:40:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
These cars have an external voltage regulator and are common for this problem.Look for a small metal box looking thing with a harness attached to it at around the battery area on fender well.remove and replace.Disconnect battery,attach battery cables after install.
2007-03-23 21:04:00 · answer #3 · answered by tturbod2001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The parasitic load test is a good idea. You should also check the voltage regulator, since you have replaced the alternator and battery already.
2007-03-23 20:35:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
u probably have a parasitic load somewhere. some electrical component in ur car that never shuts off and is draining the battery and is therefore causing the alternator to over exert its self by constantly trying to recharge a low battery. i would go have a parastic load test done on the car
2007-03-23 20:23:36 · answer #5 · answered by R2 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Make sure you fan belt is real tight, and the battery connections are clean and tight as well.
2007-03-23 20:20:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what about the belt to the alternator - is it old or cracked?
may be slipping - and that can jam up the works
best of luck
2007-03-23 20:17:38 · answer #7 · answered by tom4bucs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋