Another starter, alt, ignition issue
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 26
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How long are you running between cranks? If you're starting it and then shutting it down quickly the alt doesn't even have a chance to charge.
Do you have a multimeter? If not go buy a 20 buck (digital) meter somewhere. When the engines running you should have somewhere in the neighborhood of 14.5 volts off the battery terminals (with no lights or other electronics on). If you have anything less than 14v your alternator isn't doing its job, the voltage regulator is shot, or you have a bad wire(s) somewhere.
One thing you can (should) do is clean all of your ground contact points. Block to chassis(firewall), battery to block, and battery to chassis. If you don't have a good ground, then your alt can't charge. Its honestly worth it to just replace those 40 year old cables in most situations. The braided ground strap from engine to firewall is prone to breaking and WILL cause electrical issues.
It certainly won't hurt to add extra grounds in between the bed and cab, cab and frame, and the bed and frame.
Just make sure you grind all ground points down to bare metal.
If it does turn out your alt is shot, now would be a good time to consider upgrading from the 1g alt to the 3g. Its well worth it. It eliminates the external voltage regulator and you get way more charging amps, which translates into a more efficient charge meaning less work for the alternator to keep up.
Do you have a multimeter? If not go buy a 20 buck (digital) meter somewhere. When the engines running you should have somewhere in the neighborhood of 14.5 volts off the battery terminals (with no lights or other electronics on). If you have anything less than 14v your alternator isn't doing its job, the voltage regulator is shot, or you have a bad wire(s) somewhere.
One thing you can (should) do is clean all of your ground contact points. Block to chassis(firewall), battery to block, and battery to chassis. If you don't have a good ground, then your alt can't charge. Its honestly worth it to just replace those 40 year old cables in most situations. The braided ground strap from engine to firewall is prone to breaking and WILL cause electrical issues.
It certainly won't hurt to add extra grounds in between the bed and cab, cab and frame, and the bed and frame.
Just make sure you grind all ground points down to bare metal.
If it does turn out your alt is shot, now would be a good time to consider upgrading from the 1g alt to the 3g. Its well worth it. It eliminates the external voltage regulator and you get way more charging amps, which translates into a more efficient charge meaning less work for the alternator to keep up.
My alt is brand new 1g
All cables and grounds are new,
Driving multiple miles and not leaving anything on after shut down.
The battery tested today at 522cca out of 700cca having to hold off till paydah for new batteries. Ill try a volt meter tonight on the battery
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 279
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From: spokane
Basically, I'm just suggesting that you verify that your alt is charging at an appropriate voltage before you replace what could be a perfectly fine battery.
You should also check for a parasitic draw if everything else checks out. Easiest way is with a test light, but it can be done with a meter (although I couldn't figure out how to do it with my meter). If you have something that's not shutting down properly, then that will cause a dead battery just the same.
Sounds like you're on the right path with the new cables though. I hate electrical on vehicles. Residential electrical is much easier for me.
Last edited by krazyness; Nov 7, 2016 at 04:18 PM. Reason: Typo.
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