Electrical Problem

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Jul 16, 2003 | 02:03 PM

82StepEffie

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New User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 22

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From: College Park Maryland

Electrical Problem

By battery died a month after the waranty expired, so I replaced it. I noticed the truch with less and less power at startup over the next week untill nothing. Battery was dead. A pushstart later and I was off. I figured it could not be the alternator cause the trusk was running and the batery was dead

I pulled the alternator anyway and had it tested. 4 amps of output, so I got a new one. I put it in but the truck still won't start. Any ideas on what to do next? Please

Jul 16, 2003 | 07:07 PM

horsepuller

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Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 7,298

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From: Southern California

Electrical Problem

Did you recharge the battery after you replaced the alternator?

If you're sure the battery is charged and the starter won't crank, it is probably either the starter or the starter solenoid. The solenoid is on the passenger side over the fender well. It's near the battery. The positive terminal of the battery is cabled directly to it.

I would start out by first making sure that the 12v cable from the solenoid to the starter is clean and has good contact at the starter. Also make sure the contacts on the battery are clean.

The solenoid is inexpensive and easy to replace.

Jul 17, 2003 | 12:27 PM

82StepEffie

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: College Park Maryland

Electrical Problem

Last night I replaced the Voltage Regulator and after a jump I saw that the battery was charcing with my volt meter. At 12.5 volts, I took it for a spin to finish the job. About 20 minuits later, while sitting at a light the engin slowed and stoped. Dead! Batery still showed like 12.5v on the meter. This time with a jump it would turn over, but would not crank. Like it was not gettin g a spark.
I plan to replace the silinoid for good measure and return the batery and altrernator for testing. (Cheaper may not have meant better!)
Me

The Effie

Jul 17, 2003 | 01:01 PM

Rick_Ford

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Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 149

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From: Huntsville USA

Electrical Problem

If it's turning over, it's probably not the solenoid. The solenoid is simply a relay between the battery and starter. When you hit the ignition switch, it engages the solenoid to route power from the battery to the starter.

When the solenoid goes bad, you generally hear nothing when you hit the ignition switch. Jumping will not get you started.

I know this isn't helping you fix the problem, but maybe you won't go spend money on a solenoid when you don't really need it yet.

Rick

Jul 17, 2003 | 10:39 PM

steve83

Post Fiend

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 9,987

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From: Memphis, TN

Electrical Problem

Have you tested the coil?

Jul 21, 2003 | 10:40 AM

82StepEffie

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New User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 22

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From: College Park Maryland

Electrical Problem

It turns out that the issue was the wiring harnes between the Alternator and the Batery. These wires plug into the Voltage regulator as well as some other socket and the starter silinoid. I have cut new wire, but there is not a "fusable link" as before. Any idea where I can get a new wiring harness for this?

Jul 21, 2003 | 08:04 PM

bremen242

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 3,739

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From: GANS

Electrical Problem

you can buy them at an autoparts store.. fusable links come in guage size like wires.. I can't remember what it is, but 14 or 16 guage runs in my mind