voltage and charging problem
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: South West Michigan
voltage and charging problem
I am losing my battery power. When I hit a bump my lights will get bright or dim and the voltage gauge follows. Sometimes it sticks all the way down and the batteries go low to crank it over. When I go to jump it or charge. I get a strong arch off the connections. Like a short.
If the lights brighten , the gauge stays up on about 14 volts. It has no problem starting.
I cleaned and tightened the terminals. I removed the direct trailer cable. Any ideas.
MF
If the lights brighten , the gauge stays up on about 14 volts. It has no problem starting.
I cleaned and tightened the terminals. I removed the direct trailer cable. Any ideas.
MF
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
What do you have for add on accessories, is it possible you have one of them surecharged twin turboed hurt my ears stereos there. I have found most electrical problems where someone has wired up extras. but it sounds as if you have a dead short.
I have even seen batteries and or alternators short out.
I have even seen batteries and or alternators short out.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,086
Likes: 1
From: Malahat/Cowichan Valley
Two things come to mind when i remember back to my days of alternator and regulator issues. The harness that connects to the voltage regulator may have a terminal loose, that was my issue. Also your cables at the battery may be good but what about on the engine block? There are two spots underneath front. Those areas will cause issues as well if not clean and dry. Could be a loose anywhere but check those areas first. Remove the regulator harness completely and spray it out with a electrical drying spray. same with grounds from battery to block.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: South West Michigan
I was in town today. The voltage meter was laying down. So I figured I would get it home and start checking things one by one to get it to come back up
I hit a bump just before I got it into the drive way and it popped right back up to over 12 volts.
I checked the alternator connection. Cleaned and WD. I did not check the ground connections at the block. Would a bad ground make the arch when I jump it ?
If it is a short it would have to be something that is fuse less. I think it could be the battery or alternator possibly the starter. No add on connected.
Electrical sucks.
I hit a bump just before I got it into the drive way and it popped right back up to over 12 volts.
I checked the alternator connection. Cleaned and WD. I did not check the ground connections at the block. Would a bad ground make the arch when I jump it ?
If it is a short it would have to be something that is fuse less. I think it could be the battery or alternator possibly the starter. No add on connected.
Electrical sucks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
Check your positive battery cable anywhere it is laying on metal or anything else.
Nearly anything will blow a fuse or relay when shorted. Also what year model is it 87 up check the hot wire to the glow plugs for something a bump can affect.
Nearly anything will blow a fuse or relay when shorted. Also what year model is it 87 up check the hot wire to the glow plugs for something a bump can affect.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: Dairy, OR
99% of electrical problems are bad grounds so make sure and check those as advised above. It sure sounds like a dead short though with the arching, I bet you will find a either a loose positive wire or bad insulation on one shorting out to ground.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 84
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From: South West Michigan
I took it out today and got the needle to lay down. Got it in the drive way and started wiggling and giggling. I checked all the positive battery cable routes all the way to the starter. I removed the hot wire to the glow plug relay.
Let it run with the lights on. It went deader than a door nail. I charged the batteries.
When the key is off and you brush the terminal over the post it sparks a little.
I have a gut feeling the alternator is roached. I'll replace it tomorrow.
MF
Let it run with the lights on. It went deader than a door nail. I charged the batteries.
When the key is off and you brush the terminal over the post it sparks a little.
I have a gut feeling the alternator is roached. I'll replace it tomorrow.
MF
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