Running like crap
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
Running like crap
Just changed the the spark plugs and alternator and was driving and it started running like crap and having a bad misfire and bogged down a minute down the road from my house anyone know what might be going on its an 86 5.0 efi 4x4 with a c6, also the battery just stopped holding a charge so i don't know if that had something to do with it
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1,174
Where’s my 11 foot pole? Lots of layers to unwrap here.
First thought with a brand new problem immediately after other work? Something was inadvertently disturbed, such as a coil wire knocked loose or plug wires crossed. The other possibility is a new part bad from stock. So I’d suggest revisiting all recent work.
Re: The battery. Please define “just stopped holding a charge”. More details, please. Has the battery itself failed? Or is there an external fault draining it when parked?
Did you have to jumpstart the poor engine? I’m wondering if that was the case with a battery that “just stopped holding a charge”. And then you also mentioned having replaced the alternator. I take it you had some sort of charging problem. Have you verified the charging system is now good? Or did you just replace the most expensive part in the system and pray? Have you charged that poor battery? You can’t rely on the alternator to properly recharge a severely depleted battery.
If you’re still driving around with a dead charging system and a dead battery, that could explain the rough running, with insufficient voltage to run the ignition, fuel pump, and injectors.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
Where’s my 11 foot pole? Lots of layers to unwrap here.
First thought with a brand new problem immediately after other work? Something was inadvertently disturbed, such as a coil wire knocked loose or plug wires crossed. The other possibility is a new part bad from stock. So I’d suggest revisiting all recent work.
Re: The battery. Please define “just stopped holding a charge”. More details, please. Has the battery itself failed? Or is there an external fault draining it when parked?
Did you have to jumpstart the poor engine? I’m wondering if that was the case with a battery that “just stopped holding a charge”. And then you also mentioned having replaced the alternator. I take it you had some sort of charging problem. Have you verified the charging system is now good? Or did you just replace the most expensive part in the system and pray? Have you charged that poor battery? You can’t rely on the alternator to properly recharge a severely depleted battery.
If you’re still driving around with a dead charging system and a dead battery, that could explain the rough running, with insufficient voltage to run the ignition, fuel pump, and injectors.
First thought with a brand new problem immediately after other work? Something was inadvertently disturbed, such as a coil wire knocked loose or plug wires crossed. The other possibility is a new part bad from stock. So I’d suggest revisiting all recent work.
Re: The battery. Please define “just stopped holding a charge”. More details, please. Has the battery itself failed? Or is there an external fault draining it when parked?
Did you have to jumpstart the poor engine? I’m wondering if that was the case with a battery that “just stopped holding a charge”. And then you also mentioned having replaced the alternator. I take it you had some sort of charging problem. Have you verified the charging system is now good? Or did you just replace the most expensive part in the system and pray? Have you charged that poor battery? You can’t rely on the alternator to properly recharge a severely depleted battery.
If you’re still driving around with a dead charging system and a dead battery, that could explain the rough running, with insufficient voltage to run the ignition, fuel pump, and injectors.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1,174
Not trying to bust your butt, but you still haven’t explained how you determined the battery isn’t holding a charge. Are you sure the battery itself is at fault? Or maybe it’s still not getting a proper charge? Or there’s an external fault running it down overnight?
Do yourself a YUGE favor and charge that poor battery. That’s a very basic step before any electrical troubleshooting. If any question about the overall health of the battery, have it tested at an auto parts store. Don’t keep trying to drive with a suspect battery. Trying to charge a failed battery is like trying to inflate a balloon with a hole in it. The charging system can’t keep up trying to build pressure (voltage).
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1,174
Huh? I'm lost. Where did you measure "2 volts"?
Was this measured at the battery? That would indicate a SEVERELY discharged battery. I can't imagine anything electrical would work at such a low voltage.
Still not trying to bust your butt, but have you charged that poor battery yet? That is a very basic step for any electrical troubleshooting. For example, the alternator needs battery voltage available to energize its field coils. If adequate voltage is not available at the field, you may not get any output. You'd think a perfectly good alternator was bad.
I can't stress strongly enough the need for a fully charged battery before condemning any parts. If you don't have a charger, take the battery to a parts store. They will typically test it for free and charge it if needed. If any doubt on the overall health of the battery, replace it. Make sure the replacement is fully charged, too. New batteries often don't have a full charge at time of sale, so be sure to ask for it.
Was this measured at the battery? That would indicate a SEVERELY discharged battery. I can't imagine anything electrical would work at such a low voltage.
Still not trying to bust your butt, but have you charged that poor battery yet? That is a very basic step for any electrical troubleshooting. For example, the alternator needs battery voltage available to energize its field coils. If adequate voltage is not available at the field, you may not get any output. You'd think a perfectly good alternator was bad.
I can't stress strongly enough the need for a fully charged battery before condemning any parts. If you don't have a charger, take the battery to a parts store. They will typically test it for free and charge it if needed. If any doubt on the overall health of the battery, replace it. Make sure the replacement is fully charged, too. New batteries often don't have a full charge at time of sale, so be sure to ask for it.
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 25
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Huh? I'm lost. Where did you measure "2 volts"?
Was this measured at the battery? That would indicate a SEVERELY discharged battery. I can't imagine anything electrical would work at such a low voltage.
Still not trying to bust your butt, but have you charged that poor battery yet? That is a very basic step for any electrical troubleshooting. For example, the alternator needs battery voltage available to energize its field coils. If adequate voltage is not available at the field, you may not get any output. You'd think a perfectly good alternator was bad.
I can't stress strongly enough the need for a fully charged battery before condemning any parts. If you don't have a charger, take the battery to a parts store. They will typically test it for free and charge it if needed. If any doubt on the overall health of the battery, replace it. Make sure the replacement is fully charged, too. New batteries often don't have a full charge at time of sale, so be sure to ask for it.
Was this measured at the battery? That would indicate a SEVERELY discharged battery. I can't imagine anything electrical would work at such a low voltage.
Still not trying to bust your butt, but have you charged that poor battery yet? That is a very basic step for any electrical troubleshooting. For example, the alternator needs battery voltage available to energize its field coils. If adequate voltage is not available at the field, you may not get any output. You'd think a perfectly good alternator was bad.
I can't stress strongly enough the need for a fully charged battery before condemning any parts. If you don't have a charger, take the battery to a parts store. They will typically test it for free and charge it if needed. If any doubt on the overall health of the battery, replace it. Make sure the replacement is fully charged, too. New batteries often don't have a full charge at time of sale, so be sure to ask for it.
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