Battery/Alternator issue? Help.

[aldive]

Any update?

 

[storlied]

I'm going to call them later. (Too Early now) To see if they got my alternator yet, if they did.. I'm going to be doing this at like -20.. it's -45 now... This is going to hurt.. lol

Hell, even once it's installed.. I need to find some good cable cutters... I kinda screwed up my battery cable ends... well.. the positive..

 

[CDW6212R]

How quickly does the battery overflow when you charge it? You do not want to let it push out any fluid. Set the charger on the lowest setting, and charge it for the short time that it will take it before overflowing.

Can you get the charger powered at the truck, to help start it? If so, when you have the alternator and cable finished, use the charger to help start the engine.

I agree about the battery warantee, if you can do it have it exchanged. Tell them simply that it doesn't have enough power to start the truck, and/or won't hold a charge. Skip any mention of freezing, the warmer malfunction, or the alternator. They will have the tools to check it, and to charge it properly. Let them fix(charge) it or replace it. Good luck,

 

[storlied]

The problem with the liquid was it was frozen, once I let it thaw out and charge for a little bit.. it was fine.. I even brought it out and fired the truck up.. battery is good to go.
As for the alternator.. I guess... I'm waiting until Monday... once again! Ugh.

 

[storlied]

Update: Finally found something to cut those wires... worked perfectly... surgical scissors.. Got the new terminal on.. I don't know if I should cut the negative.. it was too much of a pain in the ass for the +...
I'm thinking about it though.. it has to match.. >.<

 

[CDW6212R]

Is the other cable unusable, damaged? Leave it alone unless there is something wrong with it.

 

[storlied]

I just wanted terminals that would make it easier for me to add wires to the battery.

 

[CDW6212R]

The OEM wires are far better than any of what you will find elsewhere. I have added power wires to the factory terminal ends, it is not hard. If you have some large number to add, than add one large wire from the battery to a junction block elsewhere.

In the critical location where you are, with that serious cold weather, you should take care of those battery terminals like precious metal. Don't ruin them or change them. I know about the stereo stuff, and I know that it is not necessary to cut the OEM wires to create good power taps. It may be no big deal for people in California that never see temps below 40-50 degrees.

Below is from a 95 Crown Vic ex police car that I added an entire power distribution box to for my needs. The ground battery cable had been cut before I got it, and that bolted on end has caused me trouble more than once.
This is after setting for two years, the corrosion is from being outside.
Notice the power cable though, you should see the added 4 gauge wire leading to the extra PDB. It easily connects to the OEM 8mm bolt in the connector. That positive connection will never fail, while the ground terminal(bolt on) is awful. Take care,

 

[storlied]

Looks like some serious rust issues..

 

[storlied]

Alternator is here, but I have to wait until Monday to get it. -_-''

 

[Doubt Incarnate]

i'm not real familiar with the 5.0 explorers, but it looks like the v8 barely fits in there. Take the long wait and lube up anything it looks like you might have to remove so there are no hang ups to slow you down. Not to make things over complicated, but sometimes its easier to just remove things that it looks like you can work around. or just keep trying till it you realize how much easier it would have been if you cleared a whole first. Better have a proccess looked up before hand so you can get in and out and avoid snags.

 

[storlied]

It shouldn't be that difficult, there's enough room for me to get in there. I've got practically no rust anywhere. This should be a simple quick replacement. If I manage to break anything, it'll be the belt.. and I have a spare.

 

[CDW6212R]

Do spray the three alternator bolts with a penetrant first. Those go into an aluminum bracket and often are very tight. You only need a tool for the belt, the main power wire, and the three bolts, plus the battery.

Battery acid will eat anything and it's very hard on the metal parts near the battery. Swapping an alternator is a 10-15 minute task, good luck.

 

[storlied]

I think it's going to take me a little longer, considering it's cold out. And this is the first time I'm doing this. I don't think penetrant is an option.. it would probably freeze.

 

[storlied]

I broke something!!!

The little tube going to the airtube from the oil pipe .. the plastic part connecting the little tube to the airtube shattered!!!

I guess I'm going to seal the hole in the intake tube.. and I'm either going to seal up the hole in the oil pipe.. (or leave it an open hole)

Something that is kinda bugging me now is.. how do I get the alternator out?.. There's two tubes in the way...?? One for the A/C and one coming out of the radiator.. So... any suggestions?

Anyone have anything to say about the tubes, and getting the alternator out? What about the breather tube?

 

[Turdle]

Sometimes replacing a part means removing what is in the way-
You will need to remove the intake tube, from maf to throttle body. the other hoses should push aside enough to remove the alternator.

You will need to repair the little oil breather tube. It needs to be connected, and air tight.

Take it to your mechanic-body shop buddy and show him. He probably has enough stuff laying around to repair it.

 

[CDW6212R]

Sorry to hear that something broke, and I did forget to mention the air inlet hose. That has to come off to work on a lot of things. That engine is very clean, I wish mine looked that new. Take your time with that plastic elbow etc, you do need that.

 

[Donner]

And just for the record, all of this is being done just to add new battery cable connectors that can allow [Daniel] to add more wiring?

 

[storlied]

No? My alternator is needing replaced, you're in the wrong thread...haha

Is the breather really nessicary?
I've seen that some people put a little breather filter on the oil tube and seal up the hole in the intake tube??

 

[Turdle]

No? My alternator is needing replaced, you're in the wrong thread...haha

Is the breather really nessicary?
I've seen that some people put a little breather filter on the oil tube and seal up the hole in the intake tube??

cheaper to fix it. That air needs to be metered ( go thru your MAF) unless you tune for it. Don't let it breath into the open air.