Need help with charging...Part 2

[jsun]

Guys/Gals,

I’m still having a low voltage problem caused from the unknown at this point.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=90915

Both the alt & batt checked fine at the dealer to whom I had test the charge. I was told by the mechanic to take a long highway drive to resolve this. I’m afraid it’s not that simple.

I also measured +14V across the batt terms at idle. I have had a chance to drive the beast to see what is happening and I’m afraid I don’t have a lot to go on other than it appears to be intermittent. The gauge within the cluster reads ~1/2 (6-7V), and will fluctuate the odd time + or – from ½. Do I have a short somewhere that is causing batt drain? I’m getting stranded places needing a boost to get me going.

I was told it might be due to the starter, or a pick-up coil (not from the mech)? But I don’t have enough money to go swapping in a bunch of new parts at the moment (diff repair on hold).

Can you please give me somewhere to begin troubleshooting?
I have checked for loose connections at the batt & alt & have found nothing.

Also, I have no aftermarket lighting, stereo, or anything to cause this.

Please Help. I need your expertise!

Regards,
J

 

[dogfriend]

It occurs to me that you could possibly have a crack in one of the plates inside the battery. I had a battery fail this way before because the moron who installed it hammered the connector onto the battery post. It eventually failed, but it took months before it did. When I took it back to where I bought it, they first tried to convince me that it could be recharged - I didn't accept this and eventually convinced the manager that it should be replaced.

I mention this because its possible to have the battery test ok, but low in charge and still have something wrong with it.

 

[jsun]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!

I'm almost certain that it is also the batt. I guess the real way to find out is to replace it and take it from there. The batt is 4 years old to begin with so it couldn't hurt.

Just figured I'd ask for advice again seeing that they checked it and it seemed to be holding a charge. I'm probably just mainly running off my alt for juice, with very little from the batt.

Thanks!

J

Originally posted by dogfriend
It occurs to me that you could possibly have a crack in one of the plates inside the battery. I had a battery fail this way before because the moron who installed it hammered the connector onto the battery post. It eventually failed, but it took months before it did. When I took it back to where I bought it, they first tried to convince me that it could be recharged - I didn't accept this and eventually convinced the manager that it should be replaced.

I mention this because its possible to have the battery test ok, but low in charge and still have something wrong with it.

 

[timleedude]

It sounds like a battery problem to me too. Change the battery and go from there. 4yrs old is quite old already for a battery. That's about the time they go bad.
It's probably the cheapest and quickest part to replace.

-Tim

 

[jsun]

Originally posted by timleedude
It sounds like a battery problem to me too. Change the battery and go from there. 4yrs old is quite old already for a battery. That's about the time they go bad.
It's probably the cheapest and quickest part to replace.

-Tim

Thanks gang for the feedback to what I would not normally post for answers.

I replaced the batt last night and I'm still having the same probs?

I'm going to pick up an alt tonight, and we'll see from there.

Again, the only reason I posted this is that the batt and alt checked out ok when tested, and this is not a typical sign or indication as a problem as to what the fix would be.

On the other hand (just started), with wipers, headlights, fogs, stereo, I now measure ~12V to the batt. With the engine rev'd, the voltage will climb up to the 13-14V range. This gives me reason to belive it's the alt, and I'm running off a charged batt? But again, this is "intermitent", durring the same road trip.

If I come to a stop, I will not stall as of yet. and still no warning lamps within the cluster.

Cheers,
J

 

[dogfriend]

You should get at least 14 volts with the truck running at idle. Sounds like a bad alternator. You should be able to get it bench tested before buying a replacement.