Ok Guys I need some help.

A couple weeks ago, I installed my amp going directly to the battery. I had the doors open for about three hours while completing the install and afterwards tried to fire her up and got the click, click, click. Eventually, I got it jumped and she was back to normal.

Tonight, while driving home from work, I had my stereo louder than usual (tough day!) and my lights start going dim, my gauges start going bezerk and my stereo is going off and on!

I manage to make it home, shut it off and try to start it again and I get the click, click, click.

Then I checked the battery terminals and fuses, try to start it again, nothing!

I remembered I had read on this forum that the battery voltage should be around 12 vdc. Mine read 12.19 vdc with my voltmeter.

After jumping it I got running again but all the gauges were going crazy, and now the battery is reading practically nothing off the dash voltmeter. The interior lights are not coming on anymore and when I put the car in drive to move it it died and now the battery is dead as a post.

So my questions are:

1. Could it be the battery? I think the battery is the original (98 Exped)

2. I'm leaning towards the alternator, because the battery lost a charge so quickly. If so, anyone have an idea as to what a alternator runs new and rebuilt?

Also, how could I check the alternator to see? I'm pretty handy with a meter but not with alternators.

Sorry this is so lengthy, just wanted to give as much info as possible.


Thanks!!!

 

Take it to Auto Zone, and have them check the charging system. Make sure that all your accessories are on when they test it. MY bet is probably just an overload on the battery. How many Cold Cranking Amps is the battery rated at? A Capacitor may help too.

 

The battery is 750 cold amps.

 

That's some amp you installed if it blew the battery.

 

No, I'm not one of those guys. It's only 300 w to 1 10" sub. I find it hard to believe it was the amp. I had it previously installed in my old honda. Never had any problems.

I'm really leaning towards the alternator. I just don't see how the battery could go from fully charged to virtually nothing so quickly.

It had plenty of juice to start the vehicle and I only live 3 miles from work.

Unfortunately I don't have and Auto Zone close by, does anyone know if NAPA does the same thing.

Thanks!

 

300 watts shouldn't bee your problem then. Double check that the amp has a good ground. If NAPA is the only part store around, give them a call, and see if they have one.

 

Is the charging system failure light (Batt Light) on?.. If not, it's probably not the alternator. I just replaced my alternator that had 107K on it. I started getting an intermittent batt light then came on steady. Put in the rebuild unit and new serpietine belt and runs great. Did the work myself and saved some big coin.

Dave
97 EB 5.4 3.73LS

 

I would do as suggested and let AutoZone or whoever check the battery first...if its just got a bad cell then it will never hold a charge. This could just be old age of the battery, expecially if it's orginal to '98 (my '99 had to be replaced after 4 years and most others do also).

I'm thinking that the extra load on the battery probably pushed it over the edge...


FYI, an alternator that is overcharging the battery will also leave you with a dead battery. I just had that happen with the kids Escort...they came home and said the battery light was on so the next day I go out to check it and the car won't start. Put the charger on it for a few hours, go back out and it starts, put the meter on the alternator and it reads almost 19V!!! It was under warranty (replaced about a yr ago at O'Reilley's) so I return it, put the new one in, and car starts fine again.

 

Thanks for the responses. I got it fixed today.

Yesterday, I jumped it and got it running and disconnected the battery and it died. This lead me to believe it was the alternator.

So today I tore it apart, pulled the alternator and put the battery on charge. I took advantage of the free alternator bench test at the store and it was intermittently discharging more than charging. It's true what hcwptj said about it charging the battery constantly since mine died. Also, with it just by itself on the bench you could hear the bearings grinding. So, it was just a matter of time. I bought a new one, put i back in in half the time it took to remove it, put the battery back in and she started up just fine. I let her run and put every elect. load on I could think of (wipers, both blowers, stereo, lights, windows) and she didn't even flinch. Hopefully, this is it. I spent $200 on the alt. and about 3 hours total labor. Not bad compared to what it might have cost a mechanic to do.

Thanks for all the responses.