Stang left me on the side of the road

7000rpmisheaven · 10-18-2002, 08:45 AM

I've had a a similar electrical problem before. I drive along and everything seems fine. Then the power to everything just starts to gradually die off. The radio starts to flicker on and off. The lights start to dim. The guages slowing fall to zero. I did a bunch of things to try and fix this problem when it occurred about 2 months ago. I had the battery tested and it was fine. I replaced the alternator and the external regulator and I replaced the ignition switch. After installing all these things and checking to make sure nothing was loose it seemed to be fixed.

Then about a week ago while driving to work it started to do it again. Everything started to lose power. The all of a sudden everything flipped back on to full power. I checked to make sure nothing was loose so I decided to wait for it to do it again. But id didn't do it any more.

Until this morning everything started to lose power. I kept driving hoping that everything would just flip back on like it did the last time. But then the engine just cut off and that was it. Everything was dead.

Does anybody have any ideas about where I should start looking. Luckily I have the weekend to figure out the problem and fix it before I will need the stang to get to work.

HotRoddin · 10-18-2002, 10:37 PM

I think the best way to start is the low tech way ... the jiggle test ... turn the key on and jiggle every wire and connector you can find until you see or hear something flicker.
If this problem kills everything in the car including the headlights then its likely one of the main supply cables so it will be a heavy wire like a 10 gage wire or bigger.

PKRWUD · 10-18-2002, 10:58 PM

Follow the harness from the alternator, and you'll find a large plastic plug/connector. Unplug it and clean the pins with electric contact cleaner, and plug it back in. There's a good chance this will correct your problem.

Take care,
~Chris

srv1 · 10-19-2002, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PKRWUD
Follow the harness from the alternator, and you'll find a large plastic plug/connector. Unplug it and clean the pins with electric contact cleaner, and plug it back in. There's a good chance this will correct your problem.

Take care,
~Chris

sounds like a voltage regulator to me. i cant remeber if in 85 they had internal or external regulators. i think external. got a DVOM? put it on the battery and see what it reads when it does it.

10-18-2002, 08:45 AM	#1
7000rpmisheaven Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: germantown MD Posts: 283	Stang left me on the side of the road I've had a a similar electrical problem before. I drive along and everything seems fine. Then the power to everything just starts to gradually die off. The radio starts to flicker on and off. The lights start to dim. The guages slowing fall to zero. I did a bunch of things to try and fix this problem when it occurred about 2 months ago. I had the battery tested and it was fine. I replaced the alternator and the external regulator and I replaced the ignition switch. After installing all these things and checking to make sure nothing was loose it seemed to be fixed. Then about a week ago while driving to work it started to do it again. Everything started to lose power. The all of a sudden everything flipped back on to full power. I checked to make sure nothing was loose so I decided to wait for it to do it again. But id didn't do it any more. Until this morning everything started to lose power. I kept driving hoping that everything would just flip back on like it did the last time. But then the engine just cut off and that was it. Everything was dead. Does anybody have any ideas about where I should start looking. Luckily I have the weekend to figure out the problem and fix it before I will need the stang to get to work. __________________ 85 GT 4bbl roller cam 2 ch. Flowmasters, O/R H-pipe Performer intake and carb milodon water pump, FMS 9mm wires, aluminum driveshaft, king cobra clutch

10-18-2002, 10:58 PM	#3
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Follow the harness from the alternator, and you'll find a large plastic plug/connector. Unplug it and clean the pins with electric contact cleaner, and plug it back in. There's a good chance this will correct your problem. Take care, ~Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

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10-18-2002, 10:37 PM	#2
HotRoddin cranky old man Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Longview Texas Posts: 683	I think the best way to start is the low tech way ... the jiggle test ... turn the key on and jiggle every wire and connector you can find until you see or hear something flicker. If this problem kills everything in the car including the headlights then its likely one of the main supply cables so it will be a heavy wire like a 10 gage wire or bigger.