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Author
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Topic: Battery, Voltage Regulator, Alternator, Short?????
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Dave Gibson
Moderator Posts: 6803
From: Pensacola, Florida, USA M&M#166 MCA#47921
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-26-2001 05:27 PM
   
Hey Gang. Time to ask for some other opinions. We are having problems with the battery in the fastback holding a charge. The battery is only a year old and we have had to recharge it twice now. We are not getting the normal signs of the alternator going bad. (head lights dimming and brightening) So that leads me to believe it's either the voltage regulator, the battery or a possible short somewhere in the system. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.  Dave & Terri ------------------
Poison Ivy (Dave's)
'65 Fastback Modified 289 4V, C-4, dual exhaust, styled steel wheels, rally pac, A/C
Blue Belle (Terri's)
'66 Coupe, Silver Blue Metallic, 351W 2-V, 4 speed, A/C, future sleeper.
IP: Logged |
I65Stang
Gearhead Posts: 5823
From: Antelope, CA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 12-26-2001 06:58 PM
Is it not fully recharging when running (problem starting it back up after turning it off) or is it going dead after sitting for a while?
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 30756
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-26-2001 07:20 PM
Dave, do you have an ohm meter? Disconnect the ground then do a continuity check and see if you have a drain anywhere. If you find one, remove the fuses one at a time to isolate the circuit.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 M code 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 open
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Lok
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC Merry Christmas!!!
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SuperDave
Gearhead Posts: 123
From: Tacoma, WA USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-26-2001 07:20 PM
The first step is to verify that the battery voltage is at least 12.7 volts with the car NOT running. Then start the car and turn on the lights, etc. You should now have about 13.5 to 14 volts. If not, your alternator is bad. Dim lights are not a very good indicator of what's going on.
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Dave Gibson
Moderator Posts: 6803
From: Pensacola, Florida, USA M&M#166 MCA#47921
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-26-2001 07:57 PM
Tim,
The first time the battery went dead, we re-charged it and all was well for about a month. Started the fastback yesterday after replace the turn signal flasher and all was well. Went to start the car again three hours later and no go.Steve,
No go on the ohm meter.  But it is now on the shopping list. Great info also Steve. Dave,
You bring up some good points. Definetly time to go shopping for some electrical meters.  I have always replaced the alternator and voltage regulator at the same time. Probably wouldn't hurt to also replace the battery and follow Steve's advice. Thanks for all the input. Dave & Terri ------------------
Poison Ivy (Dave's)
'65 Fastback Modified 289 4V, C-4, dual exhaust, styled steel wheels, rally pac, A/C
Blue Belle (Terri's)
'66 Coupe, Silver Blue Metallic, 351W 2-V, 4 speed, A/C, future sleeper.
IP: Logged |
Brock
Journeyman Posts: 34
From: San Diego, CA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 12-26-2001 09:45 PM
Hey Steve or anyone else, what exactly is a "continuity check"? Is it just hooking up an ohmmeter in series with the + battery post and checking for current?Brock
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 30756
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-26-2001 09:56 PM
No, you hook up the ohm meter between the negative post and the negative cable to see if there is a complete circuit somewhere when all the accessories are turned off. There shouldn't be. If there is, that's what's draining your battery. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 M code 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 open
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Lok
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC
IP: Logged |
Dr. Who
Gearhead Posts: 164
From: Redwood City, Ca.
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 12-27-2001 01:04 AM
Also look at the belt, if it has a shine like it's been polished (where it runs in the groove) it might be slipping. An alternator turns very easy when not charging and rather hard when charging so the more it's needed the less it works if the belt can slip.
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 8931
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 12-27-2001 07:30 PM
Dave I had kinda the same thing happing.I replaced the battery with a new one and it was solved.Hope you get it worked out,let me know if you need me to come back there and give you hand.I'm have to think fast about what to tell the wife 1st.
Boy to be in the 60's or 70's degrees right now.  SCOOP ------------------
65 coupe,351w,RPM intake,Carter625,shorty headers,2.5 exhaust, Flowmasters,C4,open 8" 2:80,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,Crager SS,Black Suede.
MEM#1240 https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/Fastymz.html
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Dave Gibson
Moderator Posts: 6803
From: Pensacola, Florida, USA M&M#166 MCA#47921
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-27-2001 07:55 PM
Scoop,
Your more than welcome to come play in Pensacola. We have plenty of room. But, the 60's and 70's temperature wise are gone for now. We have been lucky to reach the mid 50's for high temps and for lows, yes lows, around 30 degrees.  And to think we moved from Norfolk, Virginia to get away from the cold weather. Dave & Terri ------------------
Poison Ivy (Dave's)
'65 Fastback Modified 289 4V, C-4, dual exhaust, styled steel wheels, rally pac, A/C
Blue Belle (Terri's)
'66 Coupe, Silver Blue Metallic, 351W 2-V, 4 speed, A/C, future sleeper.
IP: Logged |
Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 8931
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 12-27-2001 08:03 PM
Thanks Dave,SORRY to hear that about the weather,hang in there it will be 70's again soon I'm sure. SCOOP ------------------
65 coupe,351w,RPM intake,Carter625,shorty headers,2.5 exhaust, Flowmasters,C4,open 8" 2:80,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,Crager SS,Black Suede.
MEM#1240 https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/Fastymz.html
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mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 5518
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 12-27-2001 10:26 PM
Dave: Had that problem with my 65. I had a year old battery. It WAS the battery. By the way, ol' buddy!, Pensacola is like being in the Arctic Circle!! LOL. Top down all day Christmas,here! You gotta go South! {Don't ask me about last nite!!
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mustangs68
Moderator Posts: 16604
From: Hampton,Virginia,USA MCA#39406 M&M #12
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-27-2001 10:51 PM
HEY Dave
10:51PM and 39degsF..LOL
sam
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Dave Gibson
Moderator Posts: 6803
From: Pensacola, Florida, USA M&M#166 MCA#47921
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-29-2001 09:47 AM
Hey Sam,
8:46 a.m. and it's now 39 degrees out. Suppose to reach into the 60's today. Good thing to. We now have a canvas top garage to assemble for Terri's Stang. I also have a new multi-meter to check on the charging system in the '65. It's great to be able to work on the Stangs.  Dave & Terri ------------------
Poison Ivy (Dave's)
'65 Fastback Modified 289 4V, C-4, dual exhaust, styled steel wheels, rally pac, A/C
Blue Belle (Terri's)
'66 Coupe, Silver Blue Metallic, 351W 2-V, 4 speed, A/C, future sleeper.
IP: Logged |
Dave Gibson
Moderator Posts: 6803
From: Pensacola, Florida, USA M&M#166 MCA#47921
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-29-2001 04:34 PM
OK. Here are the results of the voltage test. 12.3 without the engine running and 13.3 with the engine running. A little low, but not terrible. The alternator belt looks good, but could be a bit tighter. Still need to do the continuity check.Dave & Terri ------------------
Poison Ivy (Dave's)
'65 Fastback Modified 289 4V, C-4, dual exhaust, styled steel wheels, rally pac, A/C
Blue Belle (Terri's)
'66 Coupe, Silver Blue Metallic, 351W 2-V, 4 speed, A/C, future sleeper.
IP: Logged | |
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