Bad Problem.. 93, 5.0 bronco
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Bad Problem.. 93, 5.0 bronco
Yesterday my Bronco started acting funnier than normal.. For some reason Ive lost all function in guages and I cant drive with my lights on. If i pull the light switch out I lose power and it barley tries to move foward, but if I turn them off it drives fine. Before this I had to drive all the time with my lights on for the speedodmeter to work.. I have no clue on whats going on. Plz help..
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
battery could be bad or the altenator is going out. I would start by replacing the positive/negative battery cables. start checking the wiring for any sort of short which is what this sounds like also. If this feels out of your relm of knowledge you might locate a shop that specializes in vehicle electronics.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
AFTER you have checked battery connections and cables as Kem has mentioned and IF that doesn't seem to alleviate the problem, read the rest of this post.
Hmmm, so after all this happened were you able to restart the truck?
I only ask because the symptoms would indicate that you were running off the battery alone. The additional load of electronics beyond the ignition system were putting too much draw on the battery and with no charge from the alternator, you would end up with the kind of issues you described. However, this will typically draw the charge down so far on the battery that it will not have the capacity to restart the engine again.
So, if the battery has the juice to start the truck again after being so taxed, you either have one whale of a battery in there or you have only lost a portion of the alternator. A dead diode in the alternator will cause similar symptoms and is frequently diagnosed by observing the lighting in the vehicle while it is running. A rhythmic, pulsating intensity change in any of the lights is usually a sign that you've lost a diode. Changes in intensity that follow RPMs (lower RPM = dimmer lights / higher RPM = brighter lights) is an indication of a failed voltage regulator. Both the diodes and the voltage regulator are components internal to the alternator itself and unless you know how to rebuild one, its easiest to replace the alternator.
Hmmm, so after all this happened were you able to restart the truck?
I only ask because the symptoms would indicate that you were running off the battery alone. The additional load of electronics beyond the ignition system were putting too much draw on the battery and with no charge from the alternator, you would end up with the kind of issues you described. However, this will typically draw the charge down so far on the battery that it will not have the capacity to restart the engine again.
So, if the battery has the juice to start the truck again after being so taxed, you either have one whale of a battery in there or you have only lost a portion of the alternator. A dead diode in the alternator will cause similar symptoms and is frequently diagnosed by observing the lighting in the vehicle while it is running. A rhythmic, pulsating intensity change in any of the lights is usually a sign that you've lost a diode. Changes in intensity that follow RPMs (lower RPM = dimmer lights / higher RPM = brighter lights) is an indication of a failed voltage regulator. Both the diodes and the voltage regulator are components internal to the alternator itself and unless you know how to rebuild one, its easiest to replace the alternator.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bostonwhaler333
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jun 9, 2009 11:22 AM
batmanincoralville
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Mar 22, 2004 11:22 AM
