Bronco II Question?

[explorer93xlt]

I realize this has nothing to do with an Explorer but I was hoping the knowledgeable members of this site could help, I have a 88 Bronco II 2.9L v6, all of a sudden I'm having major problems with it. The truck started up first try then the battery light came on, the lights started to dim, and the truck died. Then I tried to re-start it and it wouldn't turn over I checked the battery and it was dead. Then I put a new battery in and the same problem. So I figured maybe it’s the alternator, I had one laying around so I threw that in, same problem a friends of mine checked the alternator and batteries in his garage and they were fine the computer came up with no problems. I tried trouble shooting it a few different ways I herd that if you get the car running and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery it should still run, and if it stalled out that meant bad alternator. Well the alternator don't seem to be charging the battery even though their supposedly good. What do you think the problem could be, the starter is new the starter seolenoid(?) was also just replaced. Any ideas? Thanks in advance
chuck

 

[JDraper]

If you've got a multimeter, try checking out the battery cable resistance. You should get something in the ohm's range. If you get up in the high KOhms or MOhms, the cable is probably bad. My '92 Explorer did something similar. The cable corroded inside of the connector.

Another possibliity is you have a short in the system that is frying the battery. Did you notice if the battery was hot after it wouldn't start? If so, start looking for shorts.

 

[explorer93xlt]

thanks JDraper yea i'm more prone to a short in the system but have no idea were to look the truck has so many exposed wires i dont know were to start

 

[JDraper]

I'd start with the ignition system. Also check your fuses and fusible links both inside the cab and under the hood. If one is smoked, that's a good place to start. If not, It's probably in the primary ignition system, since that's not fused like everything else. You can also do a voltage drop test. turn the ignition on and attach one side of your meter to ground, then go test all your leads that aren't ground leads. Even with a partially cooked battery, you should see a voltage. If you don't, and it's not an open circuit, it means the lead is grounded.

 

[CBoug76]

Try the Voltage Regulator. its a Silver box on the inner fender wall of the engine compartment. It sounds like that might be the culprit.

 

[toad]

88 BRONCO

I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN WITH A 87 RANGER AFTER DAYS OF TESTING THIS AND THAT I NOTICED THE IDIOT LIGHT FOR THE BATT. WAS NOT COMING ON AT ALL , I PULLED THE DASH AND CHECKED THE BULB IT HAD SHOOK LOOSE ,I DONT KNOW HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN,ANY WAY THIS MUST COMPLETE THE CHARGING CIRCIUT CAUSE WHEN IF FIXED THIS THE CHARGING SYSTEM CAME BACK TO LIFE. STRANGE BUT TRUE GOOD LUCK EH!

 

[explorer93xlt]

I tried a few things today no luck the bulb is fine CBoug76 Voltage Regulator where exactly is this located in the fender wall by the starter celionid left or right fender? also i thought the Voltage Regulator was built into the alternatoron the broncos , thanks again chuck