Spark/Ignition issue?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Here's what I'd do. Charge battery overnight and start her up. Measure voltage across batt. Should be like 13-14v. If lower suspect alternator. Pull positive terminal from battery while running, if it dies, then ALT is probably bad.
Next, check all ground wire connections. Your coil is probably good. I am betting on bad charging system or cap/rotor/plug wires first.
Next, check all ground wire connections. Your coil is probably good. I am betting on bad charging system or cap/rotor/plug wires first.
Back in the old days that was 1 way to check but now days you can cause all kinds of badness!
It maybe ok on our trucks but it is best not to get into the habit of doing this.
A cheap VOM from HF will work to measure battery voltage and you can use it for other things on the truck too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-funct...ter-63759.html
They have better ones but for $7 if you use it 1 time and toss it no big deal.
Think I would go for a $25 one if it was going to be my only meter.
They also have battery chargers too.
Dave ----
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Ashton, MD.
Understood. I’ll invest in a charger and meter.
Just to confirm I have a 1g alternator and a voltage regulator. Visually the regulator looks like poop. Going to try to follow the process first and do the tests.
That being said I see 2 options for replacement voltage regulators. Do I get a mechanical or electronic if that’s the issue?
Just to confirm I have a 1g alternator and a voltage regulator. Visually the regulator looks like poop. Going to try to follow the process first and do the tests.
That being said I see 2 options for replacement voltage regulators. Do I get a mechanical or electronic if that’s the issue?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Ashton, MD.
I was I was bored yesterday and ripped out the alternator and regulator. Lol
I figured since I can replace both for less than $100 I would do it. However I probably won’t have a chance to pick up and install new ones until Friday. If I were betting I’d say this is the issue. Lots of other small clues seem to support charging issue.
Will update later this week. Will probably do tune up after that.
I figured since I can replace both for less than $100 I would do it. However I probably won’t have a chance to pick up and install new ones until Friday. If I were betting I’d say this is the issue. Lots of other small clues seem to support charging issue.
Will update later this week. Will probably do tune up after that.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1,174
Even if your charging system is not up to snuff, there's no guarantee the alternator or regulator is the problem. It could be a bad cable. It could be a bad ground. These and many other items are all part of the charging system.
We don't even know if low voltage is causing the rough running and stalling. It was just a reasonable guess and super easy to rule out in mere minutes after charging the battery and testing with a voltmeter. Free, too, if you can borrow the tools. Cheap and easy, that's me, and proud of it!
Don't just rush out and replace the most expensive parts in hopes of a fix, especially when the troubleshooting is so simple to do.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Ashton, MD.
The following is meant in the kindest manner possible, but did you grow up in a house under the power lines? If not under, in very close vicinity?
Even if your charging system is not up to snuff, there's no guarantee the alternator or regulator is the problem. It could be a bad cable. It could be a bad ground. These and many other items are all part of the charging system.
We don't even know if low voltage is causing the rough running and stalling. It was just a reasonable guess and super easy to rule out in mere minutes after charging the battery and testing with a voltmeter. Free, too, if you can borrow the tools. Cheap and easy, that's me, and proud of it!
Don't just rush out and replace the most expensive parts in hopes of a fix, especially when the troubleshooting is so simple to do.
Even if your charging system is not up to snuff, there's no guarantee the alternator or regulator is the problem. It could be a bad cable. It could be a bad ground. These and many other items are all part of the charging system.
We don't even know if low voltage is causing the rough running and stalling. It was just a reasonable guess and super easy to rule out in mere minutes after charging the battery and testing with a voltmeter. Free, too, if you can borrow the tools. Cheap and easy, that's me, and proud of it!
Don't just rush out and replace the most expensive parts in hopes of a fix, especially when the troubleshooting is so simple to do.
Anyway, upon inspection wires and connections all looked ok.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 16
From: Caraway, AR
Before you rip anything else out give us a decent head start on which parts on next on the block, some replacement parts are notorious for being junk and the old working part in your truck is probably the better of the two.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1,174
So far he’s been limiting himself to only everything forward of the firewall, aft of the grill, and between the left and right fenders.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Ashton, MD.
I also have a noticeable exhaust leak at the manifold in passenger side. Looks like gasket is gone in one area. That would explain why that side is so loud. Hah. Would this have anything to do with symptoms? Don’t think so but figured I’d throw it out there. Pic below... not something I want to try to tackle at the moment. Any way to seal it off without digging in deep for temporary fix?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Ashton, MD.
OK so this afternoon I changed out the alternator and the regulator. I did them one at a time and neither had an effect on how it was running. At least in my drive away. Low idle, stalling, struggling. Still felt very weak but I did notice as I gave it a few RPMs the gauge for the battery actually responded more than it ever has by moving the needle up. Previously that gauge just sort of bounced around randomly.
Disappointing! I really thought she would come back to life with these new parts. That being said I didn’t get a chance to charge the battery or anything like that but I’m not sure how that could be an issue since it fired right up. Like I said I did double check the wiring and everything looked fine to me.
Do we think there’s more to this charging system story or onto the tuneup and investigate spark issue further? If it makes you all feel better I did just purchase a multi-meter and battery charger but I they won't come for a few days.
Disappointing! I really thought she would come back to life with these new parts. That being said I didn’t get a chance to charge the battery or anything like that but I’m not sure how that could be an issue since it fired right up. Like I said I did double check the wiring and everything looked fine to me.
Do we think there’s more to this charging system story or onto the tuneup and investigate spark issue further? If it makes you all feel better I did just purchase a multi-meter and battery charger but I they won't come for a few days.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1,174
I gotta give you guys credit. You had me hook, line, and sinker. But I'm on to you guys now. Time to fess up and take a bow.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Ashton, MD.
I wouldnt say say anything I’ve done has been hard or really expensive. I apologize for skipping a few steps. Like I said I did purchase some of those things suggested for the future.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 217
From: Northern VA
Coach, its like somebody sees the Doctor with a sore throat and you go ahead and replace their knees. Not necessarily the best route. Your current troubles (no pun) are probably vacuum leak related, dirty carburetor or due to general out of tune engine.