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Just a reminder: If you're gonna' tackle any wire issues, you may want to check those fusible links first. Guess it's because I've had a nasty time with those suckers...Anyways, thanks for sharing, and good luck dude.........
SHE"S ALIVE! I got her running today finally! Runs great, sounds great and the new tranny shifts like a dream! However, when I was driving around I notice the headlights started to slowly dim and the the radio stopped working. I shut it off and tried to restart it when I got home and nothing. The battery is dead. I was able to jump it but it took awhile to do so. I had the battery checked awhile ago and tested fine. Could all the turning over (trying to get it running) the past couple of weeks caused the battery to not accept a charge? Or could it be my alternator or my voltage regulator? Please share your endless wisdom!
Your description of the headlights and radio behavior sounds just like you were not getting any juice to the battery but using up what it had by running the engine etc.This is exactly what happens when an alternator belt comes off or an alt quits. The engine would have eventually died from lack of spark if you had continued to drive it.Check the alternator belt is there and tight. Pull and have the alternator checked or drive the whole thing in to Sears. They used to do charging system checks free trying to sell batteries. Less common failure is the regulator.
So I checked the voltage on the battery and it was at 7.5 volts. I took it in got it charged and it tested good. I put it back in the truck started it up and checked the voltage and it was still 12 volts. It then began to slowly drop. Next I checked the alt belt and it seemed to be tight enough. Now what?
It's a good chance it is a bad alternator, but if not, it's probably a bad connection some where. It still sounds like a bad fusible link to me. They are usually located up by the solenoid (very easy to replace). Good luck..
I took the alt in and had it tested. It was bad. SO I purchased a lifetime alt and took it home......I forgot to mention I also replaced the water-pump gaskets because they were leaking. Anyway, I put it in the truck and started it up and still only < 12volts. I checked the fusible link right by the soleniod and it had current on both sides of the link. I am at a loss here. Is there anything in the ignition area the has to do with the alt. I had to wire in a switch to drive it and maybe I missed something that works with the alt.
what do you mean when you said ...I had to wire in a switch to drive it.....
what does the switch do?
It is basically a switch that does what those under-the-hood remote starters do. I have to turn the key to run then press the button and it starts. It is temp untill I figure what is going on with the ignition wiring.
So does the alt have any wiring that goes through the ignition switch that may be messed up and cause it not to allow the alt to charge?
When they replaced your tranny did they mess up the neutral safety switch? Could be why it wont crank.
The small connector (red) on the solenoid next to the large + battery terminal should be +12v when the key is in start position. The other small terminal (blue) should be +12v while it is cranking only to feed the fuel pump & coil circuit (while cranking).
When they replaced your tranny did they mess up the neutral safety switch? Could be why it wont crank.
The small connector (red) on the solenoid next to the large + battery terminal should be +12v when the key is in start position. The other small terminal (blue) should be +12v while it is cranking only to feed the fuel pump & coil circuit (while cranking).
It starts and runs and drives great......it just wont charge the battery.
disconnect the red wire on the alternator and with an ohm meter test it to ground. If you get continuity it is grounded somewhere. With the truck running and the wire off check the post on the alternator for +12 volts.
Watch out for the fan and belts
As long as were replacing stuff....try a new regulator. The alternator should be putting out closer to 14 right? The regulator decides if the battery needs it or not. (When it's working right.)
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