...and she dies for the 1st time in 10+ years (long)

JohnnyG · 10-15-2001, 08:45 AM

Driving home to Baltimore from Jersey last night, I noticed my voltmeter dropping precariously low near the red line. The dash was dimming... the stereo stopped playing... and pulling away from paying each toll, the low battery light would flicker. Then about 1/2 hour from home the airbag light came on, and the car started to surge. My baby was dying. The alternator is only a year old (130amp), the battery is about 2 months old, and I spent about an hour in the pouring rain looking for a short before I gave-up. Shivering cold, I gave up and called AAA and had it towed to an auto electric specialist.

This has actually been an ongoing problem for the last few years, just not to this degree. Basically, I would notice that when taking a long drive, the volt meter would drop a couple of notches by the end of the trip. Once the car sat overnight it would display a full charge again. I figured it was a charging problem and replaced the alternator with a new 130amp model. The problem was still there, a little better, but still there- so I then ran a cable straight from the alternator to the (+) post on the battery. The problem was STILL there. A couple months ago, the battery died... replaced that. And now all of a sudden, for no apparent reason, the problem takes a drastic turn for the worse. Over the course of a 1.5 hour drive the volt meter dropped from nearly the top of the guage to nothing. Neither driving at 2000 RPM
nor sitting and idling seemed to build a charge. Sounds like the alternator right? But it's practically brand new- AND when is WAS brand new, it still didn't fix the problem with the dipping voltmeter. Think it may be a short? Perhaps the short taxed the alternator and over-worked it? What do you guys think?

I know car mechanics, but not car electronics... so I want to be able to talk straight with this guy at the shop. Any of you fellas have any ideas as to what's the problem?

Thanks in advance.

-John

[This message has been edited by JohnnyG (edited 10-15-2001).]

PKRWUD · 10-15-2001, 10:20 AM

First off, the alternator needs to be replaced. It doesn't matter how old it is, it failed. Any short that would have caused this would also drain the battery overnight. I would replace it, the fusible links between the relay and the alternator, and the battery cables (both battery and the relay to starter). The fusible link and battery cables are cheap, and should be replaced regularly anyway. I'm sorry if this isn't what you want to hear, but based on your description, there's no doubt.

Take care,
~Chris

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JohnnyG · 10-15-2001, 11:51 AM

Thanks Chris. You're right... it's not what I want to hear, but nevertheless, the problem has to be fixed... the right way. I never like to skimp on my baby

Thanks again,
John

PKRWUD · 10-15-2001, 01:49 PM

I need more customers who think like you! Good luck.

-C

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop

My teams site: Jim Porter Racing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

JohnnyG · 10-15-2001, 02:33 PM

Man! Just got off the phone with the guy! Turns out it was a bad fusable link between the alternator and the starter. Wow, I was ready to fork out a few hundred... now I'm only looking at $35! He said the alternator was fine, it just couldn't charge the system with that link blown. Thanks for your advice Chris, with this and the tranny.

-John

PKRWUD · 10-15-2001, 07:09 PM

Good deal! I'm very particular when it comes to routine maintenance, which is why I believe in replaceing the fusable links every 50k, but that's just me.

~C

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop

My teams site: Jim Porter Racing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

10-15-2001, 08:45 AM	#1
JohnnyG Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 105	...and she dies for the 1st time in 10+ years (long) Driving home to Baltimore from Jersey last night, I noticed my voltmeter dropping precariously low near the red line. The dash was dimming... the stereo stopped playing... and pulling away from paying each toll, the low battery light would flicker. Then about 1/2 hour from home the airbag light came on, and the car started to surge. My baby was dying. The alternator is only a year old (130amp), the battery is about 2 months old, and I spent about an hour in the pouring rain looking for a short before I gave-up. Shivering cold, I gave up and called AAA and had it towed to an auto electric specialist. This has actually been an ongoing problem for the last few years, just not to this degree. Basically, I would notice that when taking a long drive, the volt meter would drop a couple of notches by the end of the trip. Once the car sat overnight it would display a full charge again. I figured it was a charging problem and replaced the alternator with a new 130amp model. The problem was still there, a little better, but still there- so I then ran a cable straight from the alternator to the (+) post on the battery. The problem was STILL there. A couple months ago, the battery died... replaced that. And now all of a sudden, for no apparent reason, the problem takes a drastic turn for the worse. Over the course of a 1.5 hour drive the volt meter dropped from nearly the top of the guage to nothing. Neither driving at 2000 RPM nor sitting and idling seemed to build a charge. Sounds like the alternator right? But it's practically brand new- AND when is WAS brand new, it still didn't fix the problem with the dipping voltmeter. Think it may be a short? Perhaps the short taxed the alternator and over-worked it? What do you guys think? I know car mechanics, but not car electronics... so I want to be able to talk straight with this guy at the shop. Any of you fellas have any ideas as to what's the problem? Thanks in advance. -John [This message has been edited by JohnnyG (edited 10-15-2001).]

10-15-2001, 10:20 AM	#2
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	First off, the alternator needs to be replaced. It doesn't matter how old it is, it failed. Any short that would have caused this would also drain the battery overnight. I would replace it, the fusible links between the relay and the alternator, and the battery cables (both battery and the relay to starter). The fusible link and battery cables are cheap, and should be replaced regularly anyway. I'm sorry if this isn't what you want to hear, but based on your description, there's no doubt. Take care, ~Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

10-15-2001, 11:51 AM	#3
JohnnyG Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 105	Thanks Chris. You're right... it's not what I want to hear, but nevertheless, the problem has to be fixed... the right way. I never like to skimp on my baby Thanks again, John

10-15-2001, 01:49 PM	#4
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I need more customers who think like you! Good luck. -C ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

10-15-2001, 02:33 PM	#5
JohnnyG Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 105	Man! Just got off the phone with the guy! Turns out it was a bad fusable link between the alternator and the starter. Wow, I was ready to fork out a few hundred... now I'm only looking at $35! He said the alternator was fine, it just couldn't charge the system with that link blown. Thanks for your advice Chris, with this and the tranny. -John

10-15-2001, 07:09 PM	#6
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Good deal! I'm very particular when it comes to routine maintenance, which is why I believe in replaceing the fusable links every 50k, but that's just me. ~C ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.