Ideas on problems starting?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,172
Likes: 1,173
Um, no, there's no need to do that. If that high AC voltage measurement is accurate, you've found a MAJOR problem. Confirm the accuracy of the ACV setting as detailed in post #224. If the meter is accurate, stop what you're doing and proceed posthaste to get a new alternator. Get a quality brand unit, not the same as presently installed.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 928
Likes: 2
i shut it off, left lights and heater on for 5 minutes, in the meantime I tested a wall socket just as you instructed, and it showed 120volts. Went back to the truck, voltage dropped to 11.4 volts and it still fired up no problem. Testing right at the alternator stud and battery ground I still showed 27.3i
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,172
Likes: 1,173
i shut it off, left lights and heater on for 5 minutes, in the meantime I tested a wall socket just as you instructed, and it showed 120volts. Went back to the truck, voltage dropped to 11.4 volts and it still fired up no problem. Testing right at the alternator stud and battery ground I still showed 27.3i
Sounds like your meter is accurate on the ACV setting. But just to be triple sure, that 27.3 reading is with the engine running, right?
With the engine off, the ACV reading drops off to zero, or nearly so?
If yes to both questions, my next question is what brand of alternator will you be purchasing?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,172
Likes: 1,173
Good thing we confirmed the meter was inaccurate.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 928
Likes: 2
Too bad! I did anyways.
Pos post of battery to solenoid .1
solenoid to starter post .2
neg post to other side ring terminal .2
neg post to the actual bolt that is in block .4
i suspect ground in block is bad, will remove, clean, reinstall and check again.
ps, I had hard start twice later today, unfortunately didn't have voltmeter plugged back in first time, second time, voltage drop when cranking was 7.8 volts.
Pos post of battery to solenoid .1
solenoid to starter post .2
neg post to other side ring terminal .2
neg post to the actual bolt that is in block .4
i suspect ground in block is bad, will remove, clean, reinstall and check again.
ps, I had hard start twice later today, unfortunately didn't have voltmeter plugged back in first time, second time, voltage drop when cranking was 7.8 volts.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 928
Likes: 2
I'm trying not to chase squirrels at this moment, no difference in hot or cold starts, seems more correlated to moon phases....
to verify my fix on the ground, I plugged into the battery charger and am awaiting a green light to double check the drop test. Little corrosion on the ground bolt, but nothing major. Should there also be a chassis ground or is a bolt in the side of the block sufficient?
to verify my fix on the ground, I plugged into the battery charger and am awaiting a green light to double check the drop test. Little corrosion on the ground bolt, but nothing major. Should there also be a chassis ground or is a bolt in the side of the block sufficient?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 30
The way I do it (Ford way) is run from the ground terminal to the front cross member (wire wheeled to fresh metal, there will be a bolt there) and from there to a starter bolt. There used to be a ground cable with the two eyelets one halfway but I did it with two parts house ground cables.
