what the hell?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
what the hell?
I have an 88 coupe/auto no mods. I was driving along and the radio goes out,then lights followed by the engine dying. I get a tow, sad day. I jump it let it charge and it starts. As soon as I take the jumper cables off it dies.
When I have the jumper cables connected the volts on the dash read 12.7 Once I disconnect it drops to 11.5/11.6. When I charge the battery the engine runs ok but I always heard that if you disconnect the batt the car should run. Mine dies once it is disconnected. So i figured it was the alternator, right. Nope. I put a new one on and tested the battery, both ok.
Question"What am I missing? Someone said there might be a regulator? If so where? Any help would be great!!Semper Fi!
When I have the jumper cables connected the volts on the dash read 12.7 Once I disconnect it drops to 11.5/11.6. When I charge the battery the engine runs ok but I always heard that if you disconnect the batt the car should run. Mine dies once it is disconnected. So i figured it was the alternator, right. Nope. I put a new one on and tested the battery, both ok.
Question"What am I missing? Someone said there might be a regulator? If so where? Any help would be great!!Semper Fi!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Well, those symptoms are classic alternator failure. When you replaced it and checked the battery, did you check the battery before or after you ran the car? If the battery was dead after running the car, then I would say either the new alternator doesn't work, or there is a wiring issue that prevents the alternator from supplying power to the engine.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: middle of Illinois
Hmm, my first guess was alternator. Second was shorted cell in battery. Next I'd probably look at the wires. Could be a fusable link or a corroded contact somewhere either between the battery and alternator, battery and ground, alternator and ground... May even be the starter or wires to and from.
Either the battery isn't charging, or something's draining it so hard it doesn't have enough left to run the car. With the jumper cables connected and the other car running I'd expect your guage to slowly come up closer to 14V.
You don't have a huge aftermarket stereo, 60 inch plasma screen, doppler radar, missle guidance system, or anything that could be draining your system, right?
Lets see what all the really smart people on here have to say about this one...
Either the battery isn't charging, or something's draining it so hard it doesn't have enough left to run the car. With the jumper cables connected and the other car running I'd expect your guage to slowly come up closer to 14V.
You don't have a huge aftermarket stereo, 60 inch plasma screen, doppler radar, missle guidance system, or anything that could be draining your system, right?
Lets see what all the really smart people on here have to say about this one...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Well, those symptoms are classic alternator failure. When you replaced it and checked the battery, did you check the battery before or after you ran the car? If the battery was dead after running the car, then I would say either the new alternator doesn't work, or there is a wiring issue that prevents the alternator from supplying power to the engine.
Had one go out on an old ford galaxie years ago, and when we installed the new alternator, did the same exact thing, was a bad new alternator.Laura
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Duarte California
I think when your car is running your volt meter should display 13.5 to 14 volts. if not its a bad new alt. Pull the battery and grab a small stool and check all those battery wires leading to the battery positive terminal block. Could be a bad connection. I stripped them all and replaced all the fusible links with new links and wires. crimped them nicely all togeter and replaced the main fat wire from the battery to the block. Make sure to put baking soda to neutralize any battery acid near the posts. That acid can crawl on the wires....
