Electrical problems
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
Electrical problems
I have an electical problem with my 54. It runs fine most of the time. Of late, it has problems starting. If I leave it alone, it cranks fine. If I run anything without the engine running, the battery loses its charge and it won't start. I am thinking battery, but a friend of mine put a multimeter on the battery and says he doesn't think the alternator is charging (it has been converted to 12V GM alternator).
Does the trick of starting the truck and removing the power side from the battery really work? If I remove the red cable from the battery, the engine stays running. I'm not sure of this being a tell all sign.
Help!
Does the trick of starting the truck and removing the power side from the battery really work? If I remove the red cable from the battery, the engine stays running. I'm not sure of this being a tell all sign.
Help!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Electrical problems
I am thinking battery also. A alternator is very easey to check with a volt meter with the engine running it should read 14.7 I can hear a alternator wine when working. If you unplug it when it is running you will hear it stop. Some cars will keep running if you unhook the battery and some will not. If it does stay running than you can be sure your alt is working.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
Electrical problems
A battery will act as a filter for the voltage spikes that an
alternator can generate. By disconnecting the battery while
the engine is running, the voltage spikes from the alternator
can damage sensitive electrical components like PCMs, etc.
Just the Di/Dt (change in current / change in time) and inductance
can generate a huge voltage by disconnecting the battery while
the engine is running.....
alternator can generate. By disconnecting the battery while
the engine is running, the voltage spikes from the alternator
can damage sensitive electrical components like PCMs, etc.
Just the Di/Dt (change in current / change in time) and inductance
can generate a huge voltage by disconnecting the battery while
the engine is running.....
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
Electrical problems
I took the alt. off and took it to my local Autozone. It checked out ok, but the tech said the bearing was going out. He said it will work fine until the bearing heats up and then it will not put out. For $48, I went ahead and installed the new alt. So far it works fine and after even running the headlights for a while, it started. It wouldn't start before after only running the radio a few minutes.
Have I been suckered?
My engine still cuts out at about 65 MPH. I was hoping this might fix that too.
Have I been suckered?
My engine still cuts out at about 65 MPH. I was hoping this might fix that too.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: NiagaraRiverArea, Riversi
Electrical problems
What does your ground cable look like? is it on the block in a clean rust free spot? or is it connected to an exhuast maifold? bad grounds have caused so many problems.
do you have plastic insulated wires? lots of old cloth insulted wires on older Ford products to cause problems.
On a 54, wasn't the battery under the right side floor, still there?
do you have plastic insulated wires? lots of old cloth insulted wires on older Ford products to cause problems.
On a 54, wasn't the battery under the right side floor, still there?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
Electrical problems
The 54 ground path is from the battery to the frame and then again up front from the frame to the block. Corroded connections and questionable cable integrity caused my 54 to be a hard starter.
I got some new 0 gauge cable and ran the battery lead to a starter bolt and then another to a cleaned up frame hole. Starts great and no more dim or varying lights; mine is still 6V.
I got some new 0 gauge cable and ran the battery lead to a starter bolt and then another to a cleaned up frame hole. Starts great and no more dim or varying lights; mine is still 6V.
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