"94" Explorer electrical problem

[Yusuke620]

I have been a Mechanic for close to 20 years and am currently a Car Audio installer at Custom Sounds in St. Louis.

Here's my problem. My 94 has always had a problem with voltage drop, i owned it for 2 years before i ever put a stereo system in it.

Every time i turn on the headlights, wipers, blower motor the voltage meter drops. with each accessory i use it drops a little more.

Today i replaced my battery to engine ground with 0 gauge wire, the starter to solenoid wire with 0 gauge and the body ground to battery with 4 gauge.

All my factory wire was corroded all the way through.

At night with the lights on and blower i cant listen to the stereo at the volume i would like, lights dim and battery meter fluctuates really bad.

I have a 4 channel and 1000 watt mono block amp. 5 farad cap, 4 gauge wire running throughout.

I know the stereo has nothing to do with the voltage dropping, it doesn't help
but the problem was there long before the system was installed.

Long story short, after upgrading the wire that i did my dash lights and head lights are quite a bit brighter but the voltage drop is still there.

Anyone had this problem and know what i need to do to fix it?

Thanks in advance, if you have any audio questions send them my way. 15 years exp but i cant figure out whats wrong with my own truck lol

 

[KypD]

I'm a technician myself (I started browsing this forum the other day when AllDATA wouldn't show me how to get ABS codes without a scan tool on a customers '93 Exploder)....I know first things first I would verify that you're actually losing voltage by using a multimeter instead of relying on the in-dash volt meter.

And of course the other basics like a battery load test, an alternator output test (including rectifier diode function)...it's possible the alternator has been able to keep up with battery maintenance but not able to throw out enough amperage to keep up with accessories. Just a thought, but you've probably already been through all that.

 

[IAmTodd]

I would second the alternator. Mine does the same but without the stereo. Your voltage regulator could be having issues keeping up with the spikes.

 

[Yusuke620]

Yea i'm gonna check the regulator next. Battery is an Optima red top, going strong at almost 13 volts.

Its a stock alternator (not sure what amperage it is though, on a 4.0), any ideas of any other wiring problems it may be?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[IAmTodd]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a battery issue with the red top. I had two a few years back and they were both junk. I went with a Duralast Gold and it got rid of a ton of electrical issues on my 2000.

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

 

[Yusuke620]

Thanks for the welcome.

The problems were there before the red top and it actually
remedied some of the voltage drop. Its been in there for about 2 years now.

I haven't been able to check anything else, been pretty busy at my shop the last couple of days.

 

[rchambley]

I have been a Mechanic for close to 20 years and am currently a Car Audio installer at Custom Sounds in St. Louis.

Here's my problem. My 94 has always had a problem with voltage drop, i owned it for 2 years before i ever put a stereo system in it.

Every time i turn on the headlights, wipers, blower motor the voltage meter drops. with each accessory i use it drops a little more.

Today i replaced my battery to engine ground with 0 gauge wire, the starter to solenoid wire with 0 gauge and the body ground to battery with 4 gauge.

All my factory wire was corroded all the way through.

At night with the lights on and blower i cant listen to the stereo at the volume i would like, lights dim and battery meter fluctuates really bad.

I have a 4 channel and 1000 watt mono block amp. 5 farad cap, 4 gauge wire running throughout.

I know the stereo has nothing to do with the voltage dropping, it doesn't help
but the problem was there long before the system was installed.

Long story short, after upgrading the wire that i did my dash lights and head lights are quite a bit brighter but the voltage drop is still there.

Anyone had this problem and know what i need to do to fix it?

Thanks in advance, if you have any audio questions send them my way. 15 years exp but i cant figure out whats wrong with my own truck lol

 

[rchambley]

94 electrical prob

check voltage reg and the wire connection move it around while motor is on see if your voltage increases by the wire movement