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weird battery problem

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Old Jun 6, 2005 | 08:03 PM
  #1  
skysurfer2010's Avatar
skysurfer2010
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weird battery problem

I picked up a hot 99 expedition eddie bauer this past Friday and fell in love with it! It's not 100% mint, but it's in really great condition.

I noticed over the weekend while stomping on the gas to pass someone that the battery light comes on and my voltage starts to plumit. I'm clueless what this could be. Voltage is a constant 13.4 to 13.6 usually. When i stop on the gas it drops fast.

Any ideas?

p.s. pic is in my gallery. it's custom with 23 inch rims.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 12:32 AM
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Could be that the accessory belt is slipping during a sudden burst of high rpm, causing the alternator to slow down. Solution could be a new belt and/or idler pulley. The idler pulley is spring loaded to keep the belt tight.
 

Last edited by PaulC; Jun 7, 2005 at 12:34 AM.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 12:46 AM
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Do yourself a BIG favor and get the charging system tested, ASAP.

The last time my battery light came on when when driving was when my alternator quit two weeks ago. This is a 98 EB, with 70k also in pretty good shape otherwise.

One tow home and four hundred bucks later its OK now.

I think the test should only set you back about $30. Peace of mind if nothing else.
My2c.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 08:31 AM
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broncoholic
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30 bucks?! The big auto parts chain stores (Advanced Auto and AutoZone in the southeast) have a machine that they wheel out to your vehicle and check it for free. I agree you need the charging system tested, but call a big chain store and find one that'll do it for free.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 09:21 AM
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This has been written about before. Unless you hear a squealing noise (belt) it's probably worn brushes in the alternator.

You'll need to rebuild/replace it.

I've seen this on other boards as well.

Bob
 
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 10:19 AM
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skysurfer2010
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thanks for the info guys.

Originally Posted by ExpyBob
This has been written about before. Unless you hear a squealing noise (belt) it's probably worn brushes in the alternator.

You'll need to rebuild/replace it.

I've seen this on other boards as well.

Bob
how much does this typically cost?
 
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 10:27 AM
  #7  
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10.00 if it is only brushes and a DIY.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 10:39 AM
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good to know. thanks guys!
 
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 09:17 PM
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snodgrass
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With regards to the thirty bucks charge, I forgot to mention I`m currently in communist canada.
So $30 in real money should be about, err, not much I think.

Best definition of a Canadian?
An unarmed American with health insurance.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 11:13 PM
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Sanchez_315er
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From: Rochester, NY
...could also be a failing voltage regulator that poops out when the volts get too high.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 06:41 AM
  #11  
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bentonsexpy
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Just another wierd battery story. I bought a used '97 Expy 4 years ago. I still Love it. Anyway, when I first got it the battery was replaced twice, the alternator was checked, I had to have it towed into the dealer twice. What had happened was that someone that added a cell phone stand with an outside antenna and "jerry" rigged the wire to the fuse box. When I rested my left foot on the carpet it would jiggle the wire and short the system, drain the battery. Finally after I told them I wasn't driving it home until they fixed the problem, they found the problem with the fuse box and replaced it with a new one and I haven't had a problem since then.
 
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