Battery cables, alternator or what?

[tjsxplodr]

Ok so I've been having some weird things going on with the electrical. When I start the X, my lights will start flickering and the voltage dummy guage in the instrument panel goes crazy at idle. I checked the cables, corrosion on one of the positive cables, cut the cable for now. I am still getting flickering on the guage when I use the power window switches. The guy I bought the X from said he put a new battery in it last year. Is it possible that the alternator or something maybe going out? What's the best way to test it? I'm fairly certain the battery is still good.

 

[bcbid]

Autozone will check your alternator for free while it is still on the vehicle.

 

[dogfriend]

Its really common for the battery cables to be corroded under the insulation where you can't see it. That would cause your problems and may prevent the battery from charging correctly. You can check the cables for resistance with a ohmmeter or DVM to be sure before replacing them .

 

[tjsxplodr]

Ok thanks. Will check them first.

 

[rileyrs]

cables are most likely the problem.

you can also get your battery and alt tested for free.

 

[tjsxplodr]

Alternator tested too much resistance. Good thing, cuz it was wearing out the battery. Got a reman alternator, and hubby put it in yesterday. No more spikes in the dummy gauge. Still going to put new battery cables on the list of things to get next payday.

 

[dogfriend]

Alternator tested too much resistance. Good thing, cuz it was wearing out the battery. Got a reman alternator, and hubby put it in yesterday. No more spikes in the dummy gauge. Still going to put new battery cables on the list of things to get next payday.

If you have a DVM (digital multimeter) you can test them for resistance, but if you already saw corrosion on the + end of the cable, its a good bet that they will need replacing sooner or later.

 

[tjsxplodr]

Oh yes, I know that. Now its just a matter of finding the correct ones!

 

[Tbars4]

...This should make it easy...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250186&highlight=cables

 

[tjsxplodr]

Ahhh thank you!

 

[tjsxplodr]

The napaonline links no longer work...

 

[tjsxplodr]

Ok, reposting in my thread again cuz the voltage gauze is going crazy again, whenever I hit the power window switches, it dims all the lights especially the headlights. I already replaced the p.w. switch once....is there something in the dash that's causing this? I have a new battery, new reman alternator and new battery cables.

 

[dogfriend]

Is the engine running or not when this happens? The alternator should be putting out enough power to keep the headlights from dimming much if at all when you operate the windows.

 

[YBCold]

perhaps power window moters are drawing too much power??? or alt not running at enuf RPM??? i get low charging at red lights some times

 

[tjsxplodr]

Engine running yes. Engine not running yes. I've replaced all that stuff....alternator, battery_cables, ppower window switch.

 

[dogfriend]

Not sure what is going on without seeing it first hand. With the engine running, the alternator power should prevent the lights from dimming when using the power windows. It isn't unheard of for a rebuilt alternator to be low output. Sorry I can't be more help.

 

[tjsxplodr]

Ok so with the alternator in, what's the procedure to check it to see if its producing enough juice? Could a. Bad pulley on that belt system be a culprit?

 

[dogfriend]

http://autorepair.about.com/od/electricaltroubleshooting/a/battery_check.htm

 

[SoNic67]

Voltage:
Alternator - 14.4-14.5V with the engine running
Battery - 12-12.8V with engine stopped.

 

[tjsxplodr]

Not too sure what to make of that site you sent the link of. I can go to autozone and have them check the battery and alternator...that's what I'm going to do.