Charging problems
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Freshman User
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Charging problems
Ok so I know this issue has probably been addressed before and electrical problems are hard to figure out but here it goes. My truck a 1978 F-150 4X4, 460 ci, will run for about 4 days and then the battery will die. I will jump it and it will run again fine and then die. I have replaced the regulator, and alternator. The person before me has a massive stereo system in it that he just cliped the wires and took when he sold it. I took all the exposed wires out and put in an 8 track. Any ideas as to this problem. I have taken the positive cable off and it will run, battery is reading 14.2 volts when running.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
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Remove and clean all battery connectio at Battery.
Remove, Clean and Check battery cable connections where the cable end mounts on engine.
Check and clean the battery cable connections at starter relay (aka starter solenoid).
Check the battery cables for starter relay to starter for good connections.
"With voltage meter connected to battery."
Wiggle wires from alternator to voltage regulator while inspecting voltage meter.
Wiggle wires from alternator to starter relay while inspecting voltage meter.
Inspect these wires for cracks or breaks or frayed wires.
Is the battery losing power after trucks being parked for some time?
Remove, Clean and Check battery cable connections where the cable end mounts on engine.
Check and clean the battery cable connections at starter relay (aka starter solenoid).
Check the battery cables for starter relay to starter for good connections.
"With voltage meter connected to battery."
Wiggle wires from alternator to voltage regulator while inspecting voltage meter.
Wiggle wires from alternator to starter relay while inspecting voltage meter.
Inspect these wires for cracks or breaks or frayed wires.
Is the battery losing power after trucks being parked for some time?
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Freshman User
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It has new cables that I just put in and I also replaced the starter relay. Trying to just go through and replace most things anyway, just for reasurance. All the connections are tight, atleast they appear to be.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
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Sounds like an ignition problem from your explanation. Dies while running and
won't rrestart? Will it crank over?
edit: I guess I'm confused after rereading. Jump starts ok?
won't rrestart? Will it crank over?
edit: I guess I'm confused after rereading. Jump starts ok?
Last edited by merlynr; Oct 18, 2007 at 09:41 AM.
Posting Guru
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Originally Posted by t.Rowley
It will restart, run fine for about 4 to 5 days and then it will be dead again. Jump it and the process will start all over again. Could it just be a bad battery
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Freshman User
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i have noticed if i run the radio, heater and lights the battery will die faster, but as soon as jump start it again it will be fine for a few days.
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Postmaster
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A fast way to test a battery and/ or a bad connection.
Is to remove coil wire at distributor, turn on head lights and then crank over starter.
If lights go very dim, or battery loses power quickly, then battery is probably gone.
Recharge battery and then give a load test.
Next Time, When the truck engine doesn't want to start.
Connect the voltage meter and check voltage a battery.
With engine running, head lights on, radio on, and other power accessory on,
Check the voltage of the charging system at battery
Is to remove coil wire at distributor, turn on head lights and then crank over starter.
If lights go very dim, or battery loses power quickly, then battery is probably gone.
Recharge battery and then give a load test.
Next Time, When the truck engine doesn't want to start.
Connect the voltage meter and check voltage a battery.
With engine running, head lights on, radio on, and other power accessory on,
Check the voltage of the charging system at battery
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
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Possibility of two causes...
1. Bad battery - give battery a load test.
2. Power is being drawn will engine and truck are parked and not running.
Give electrical system an electrical test for power being drawn while engine and truck are not running.
1. Bad battery - give battery a load test.
2. Power is being drawn will engine and truck are parked and not running.
Give electrical system an electrical test for power being drawn while engine and truck are not running.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Bad battery ..get it tested.They develop shorts inside themselves and discharge.
and NEVER EVER remove a battery cable with the engine running.
I am still trying to find out why people do this ?
It causes them to buy new alternators.
and NEVER EVER remove a battery cable with the engine running.
I am still trying to find out why people do this ?
It causes them to buy new alternators.
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