Hard Start
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 139
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From: Michigan
Hard Start
I'm trying to leave work in Michigan, had truck plugged in and truck wouldn't turn over, checked with tester and they are ok, under load tester indicates low charge, any ideas???, I hate to spend 200.00 on a alternater if I don't have to
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
checked voltage
output is 12.7, didn't go up when I read voltage, I'm suspecting a problem with alternator, stopped by local Napa and they have none in system, I guess the cold weather has brought out the best, thanks for input
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
While we are talking alternators, one of the tricks that I have learned over the years is that there is a lot of line loss between the alternator and the battery on some vehicles. The way that I deal with that is to run two auxiliary cables in addition to the factory harness from the alternator to the battery. I do not eliminate any of the factory wiring. One positive, coming off of the big post on the alternator and going to the positive post on the battery. The other negative attached to the body of the alternator, not the mount, or the engine block, but directly to the body of the alternator. One of the mounting bolts for the alternator is sufficient as long as the connection is in direct contact with the alternator body. Run that ground cable clear to the ground post on the battery. I use 6g welding cable. Once that's done it completly eliminates any voltage drop between the alternator and the battery. Makes the batteries last for years.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 756
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Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
One positive, coming off of the big post on the alternator and going to the positive post on the battery.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntington Indiana
How old are the batteries? If over 3 years then might want to replace with the biggest batteries you can fit. preferably 1000CCA
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by Fords4Me
Doesn't that bypass the stock fusing that protects the battery from a short in the Altenator?
There certainly isn't one on all the VW and Audi's that I work on all day long, just a 8ga. wire going to the starter post.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
Originally Posted by vans
they are stock, 02, although they tested OK I'm aware that they are old, just don't want to spend that money, Thanks
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 139
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From: Michigan
I did a load test, I'm no mechanic but I'm confident that my alternator went bad, I changed it out last night and drove 60 miles through a blizzard to watch my daughter play volleyball, good thing was I didn't have to walk home, truck also worked great today. I ended up buying a new alternator from Auto Zone with lifetime warranty, wanted to purchase from Napa but they couldn't get one untill next week