Ex STILL won't start!

[B94Sport]

Okay, so I just got my new 200 amp alternator back today to replace the old one that stopped working. I replaced the alternator and the truck started up just fine. I drove about 2 miles away, drove back, shut it off, and tried to start it again. Nope, it didn't work. I got the familiar sound of the starter trying to suck power from a dead battery. Now, I had the battery tested and charged, and it was fine. I will assume (for the time being, until I get it checked) that the new alternator is also in working order. The battery cables also work. What, if anything, could be causing the alternator to not charge the battery, or the battery to not hold a charge? I have heard of inline fuses for the alternator wire to the battery, and also fuses underneath the dash that, when blown, will cause incorrect operation of the alternator. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[ChuckyD]

I herd at one time that if your Alternator goes you should replace your battery also because its probably shot as well.

Anyone else agree?

 

[Limited Ex]

Same thing was happening with mine awhile back, and come to find out, the wires on my starter relay were loose. Tightened them right up and it was fine!

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by ChuckyD
I herd at one time that if your Alternator goes you should replace your battery also because its probably shot as well.

Anyone else agree?

Not necessarily. If your battery will still take a charge after being completely run down, you may as well keep it.

 

[ChuckyD]

thats if the battery can keep a charge. Notice how he said he had to charge it again.

 

[B94Sport]

Yes, originally the battery was drained because the alternator was not functioning. Now, I have a new alternator that should work correctly, but the battery is once again dead. I had it load tested and fully charged at Pep Boys. The battery is not the problem.

 

[ChuckyD]

Well, beats the crap out of me then.... sorry

 

[B94Sport]

LOL yeah me too... I just hope somebody has some ideas, being without transportation is killing me!

 

[Alec]

Just always park on a hill so you can get a rolling start

Seriously though, I'd go with the earlier suggestion and check out all the ignition and starter connections. Also, you sure the fuel pump relay and pump are functioning properly?

 

[JDraper]

I know you said the battery cables work, but did you check the resistance in them??? The cable assembly that gave me fits in my '92 provided plenty of power to the lights and accessories, but would not start the vehicle. My harness had corrosion inside the battery wire side, but not the accessory wire side. Resistance should be a couple of ohms at most. If you read more than 20, you've got a problem.

 

[B94Sport]

Originally posted by Limited Ex
Same thing was happening with mine awhile back, and come to find out, the wires on my starter relay were loose. Tightened them right up and it was fine!

Where is the starter relay?

 

[B94Sport]

I am at my wits end with this one guys... Both of the alternator fuses are fine. I gave in and bought 6 feet each of 1/0 gauge black and red cable, new battery terminals, and ring terminals and am going to upgrade all of the stock wiring. I figured it couldn't hurt anything except my wallet. I'll get the alternator checked again when I get a ride to a shop. Any other ideas? I've been without this thing for over a week.

 

[Limited Ex]

If you are looking in the engine compartment from the front of the vehicle, the starter relay is located on the left side of the engine compartment, on the wall, just in front of the battery. It is a small round terminal with two posts coming out of the top of it. I would check those bolts and make sure that they are nice and tight.

 

[B94Sport]

That is what I thought it was. Yes, I tightened those bolts and sanded all of the ring terminals until they were shiny again. I'm getting a jump tomorrow and we will see how that goes. I also made the alternator charging wire bypass the starter relay and connect directly to the battery terminal. Good idea or no? I need to go out and buy a multimeter.

 

[B94Sport]

Originally posted by JDraper
The cable assembly that gave me fits in my '92 provided plenty of power to the lights and accessories, but would not start the vehicle.

Well... Unfortunately, there is not enough power being provided to my accessories to run them. The courtesy lights are very dim, and the headlights will not come on at all. There must be some problem with the charging system, that's the only thing I can think of, because the battery is definitely dead again, despite being fully charged and then driven 3 miles with the supposed-200 amp alternator charging it. Unless Mralternator.com sent me a bad alt (If this one tests bad, ****'s going to hit the fan), I have no idea what is going on.

 

[JDraper]

Hmmm, if you had a fully charged battery, drove only 3 miles, and the battery was then flat, it almost sounds like you have a short circuit somewhere, or something is putting a massive drain on the battery. You should be able to run with a fully charged battery and no alternator for quite a while (several days if you don't use your accessories/lights) before it won't start.

Once you get your multimeter, get the truck running and look at the voltage across the battery terminals. If the alternator is charging, you should read around 13.6-14.4 VDC. IF your alternator isn't charging it won't read above 12VDC or so.

 

[B94Sport]

I was thinking that there might be a short, but I have no idea where to look. I was driving it with lights off, no radio, no AC, so there should have barely been any drain at all.

 

[B94Sport]

Another idea: How likely is it that I have a short somewhere that is frying my alternators when I install them? I don't know much about the wiring system, but is that possible? I'm going to swap the voltage regulator out on my current alternator today and replace it with one that I know for sure works... Maybe that will fix it...