Electrical problems
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Electrical problems
Hi,
Today when I was driving my car, on several occasions, I briefly left without power.
At few times the speedometer and radio turned off and the car stopped.
I managed to get home and now I wonder what could be the problem?
Whether someone had a similar problem?
Today when I was driving my car, on several occasions, I briefly left without power.
At few times the speedometer and radio turned off and the car stopped.
I managed to get home and now I wonder what could be the problem?
Whether someone had a similar problem?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,058
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Oh boy...this could be a tough one...almost sounds like a wire that has been exposed and may briefly contacting ground, maybe as it heats up. First thing I suggest is checking every wire you can see to make sure none are chaffed. Second, is to check for a possible short somewhere...is your battery holding a charge? Do you have a volt meter that can read amps? I would suggest checking current draw with the car off, no key...should be between 30-80mA...depends on model year.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
In addition to the sound advice already posted: You may want to disconnect any ground straps and sand the contact area and reinstall them with star washers. It could also be the rectifier in the alt as its diodes fail they cross-conduct.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
Check the Battery Cable connections. Make sure they are clean and tight.
Check the Battery voltage with a good volt meter, it should be 12.4-12.6 vdc. 12.6vdc=100% charged battery.
Also check the postive battery Cable going to the starter Motor. Make sure that connection is clean and tight.
Be sure to unhook the NEGATIVE Battery cable before you go working around the starter motor underneath the car!!!!!!
Accidently shorting a Chrome Snap On Wrench against that postive battery cable and a body or engine grounded still will result in red hot flying sparks and a burnt hand from the red hot wrench!!!
BR
Check the Battery voltage with a good volt meter, it should be 12.4-12.6 vdc. 12.6vdc=100% charged battery.
Also check the postive battery Cable going to the starter Motor. Make sure that connection is clean and tight.
Be sure to unhook the NEGATIVE Battery cable before you go working around the starter motor underneath the car!!!!!!
Accidently shorting a Chrome Snap On Wrench against that postive battery cable and a body or engine grounded still will result in red hot flying sparks and a burnt hand from the red hot wrench!!!
BR
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Car batteries are fully charged when their no load terminal voltage measures 12.9 volts or above and discharged at 12.0 volts and below and linear in between (example 12.55 volts, 50 % charged).
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,553
Likes: 3
So your driving down the road and your car litterally shuts off?
If so, does it stumble, then die, or die right away?
First things come to mind is battery 1 and then alternator 2, or both.
Car runs off of batt, batt gets low and alt charges it..repeat. A weak alt and/or a batt with a few bad cells, and you get what you got...a batt that will start but not run car cause it won't hold enough charge mixed with an alt that charges intermittantly or weakly.
My $0.02
If so, does it stumble, then die, or die right away?
First things come to mind is battery 1 and then alternator 2, or both.
Car runs off of batt, batt gets low and alt charges it..repeat. A weak alt and/or a batt with a few bad cells, and you get what you got...a batt that will start but not run car cause it won't hold enough charge mixed with an alt that charges intermittantly or weakly.
My $0.02