Electical headaces...
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, WA
Electical headaces...
I'm sure this somewhere on the forum, but I'm having issues with start up. I have a new battery, alternator, and voltage regulator, and starter. I had to replace the clip that goes into the voltage regulator, but that was done all correctly to the best of my knowledge.
My battery shows a charge of 12 volts when started, usually by jumping it from another vehicle. I loaned the truck to my grandpa for two months or so and he put a metal piece of wire from the negative post on the battery to the grille saying it had a bad ground.
I really don't know to much electrically in these engines, based on what I gave you anybody have an idea why I'm having such a hard time starting up? It always seems to just barely not have enough juice.... the only thing I have not replaced in the stater relay. Could that be the problem?
I'm stumped, and I'd have my dad help me out cause' he's an electrician but he's away at work.
Thanks guys!
My battery shows a charge of 12 volts when started, usually by jumping it from another vehicle. I loaned the truck to my grandpa for two months or so and he put a metal piece of wire from the negative post on the battery to the grille saying it had a bad ground.
I really don't know to much electrically in these engines, based on what I gave you anybody have an idea why I'm having such a hard time starting up? It always seems to just barely not have enough juice.... the only thing I have not replaced in the stater relay. Could that be the problem?
I'm stumped, and I'd have my dad help me out cause' he's an electrician but he's away at work.
Thanks guys!
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
The starter solenoid is unrelated - they often get blamed for all sorts of problems, but if the starter is turning at all, then it's fine (it's only job is to close like a switch, because that's essentially what it is).
What is the voltage across the battery terminals while the engine is running? Does it hold steady? This will give you an idea whether or not the alternator is charging, or slowly letting the battery drain so that it's too low to start.
What is the voltage across the battery terminals while the engine is running? Does it hold steady? This will give you an idea whether or not the alternator is charging, or slowly letting the battery drain so that it's too low to start.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
Maybe it's just because I'm tired, but it doesn't seem like you really described the problem. What are your startup problems? Slow cranking? No cranking? Cranking fine but not running? Not charging?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, WA
Well it seems that its charging while on, but you'll turn it off and then try to turn her back on and she's dead all you get is the relay buzzing. I have to get a jump to get her going.
Rusty Roller
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 5
From: Santa Cruz Mountains
Check your battery posts. Clean them and also make sure you have a good ground to the block. I had a brand new car that wouldn't start on the first night I had it. Tow truck driver cleaned the posts and I never had that problem again; with that car.....
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Grand Junction, Colo.
Sounds to me like you have a bad battery and possibly alternator....simply going off of what you said that it is charging at 12 volts ...you should actually be seeing something closer to 13.5 or 14 volts while the engine is running and you should see 12.5 to 12.75 volts on the battery when the engine is off. I would start by taking your battery in to a local auto parts store or garage that can do a load test on your battery to determine if it is bad or not then if it proves to be ok then i would do the same for your alternator.
Great advice also from OldStyle above as well.
Great advice also from OldStyle above as well.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,512
Likes: 394
From: W. Central FL.
A battery at 12 volts is essentially dead. As mentioned, it should show 12.5 static and a volt or two higher when running. Make sure you have grounds from engine to frame and frame to sheetmetal. All need to be bonded for the system to work. Grounds should be tight and to clean metal for all to work.
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Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
Go with your Dad's opinion. Inspect and clean ground connection from battery to engine block and block to firewall. Being an electrician, I'm sure he had a reason for that temporary fix.
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
What are you doing to quantify this observation?
As I said, you need to measure the voltage across the batterty terminals while the engine is running. Out of gear at idle, it should be on the order of 14 volts. The only way you'll verify this is to take the measurement.
As I said, you need to measure the voltage across the batterty terminals while the engine is running. Out of gear at idle, it should be on the order of 14 volts. The only way you'll verify this is to take the measurement.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, WA
Well I noticed the spelling mistake in the headline, and feel like an idiot. Anyways I had the battery checked and charged, checked all wires and grounds, and re crimped some wires that looked half done. Still a drain. Guess I'm gonna pull the alternator and have it checked. Happy that it has a lifetime warranty. =)
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