Brought to you in part by:

.

Tools and Supplies at Eastwood

  Mustangsandmore Forums
  '79 to '93 -- The Fox Mustang & Capri
  Draining

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Draining
Tim Cash
Gearhead

Posts: 141
From: Clarksville, TN, U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 09-29-2002 07:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tim Cash   Click Here to Email Tim Cash     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I seem to have a problem with my battery keeping a charge. I had the battery tested - good. Then I went and had the alternator checked and they said it was good. Any suggestions on what to check next? I still think the alternator is not keeping up. When I have the lights on and the fan blower going, the volt meter is almost in the red. It usually runs about even.

IP: Logged

Kyle
Gearhead

Posts: 155
From: Sumner, WA
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 09-29-2002 07:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kyle   Click Here to Email Kyle     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Did you have the alternator bench tested or checked while still on the car? When I worked at Schucks Auto, we had a small handheld machine that we weould take out to the car and do three tests on the charging system. One; load test the battery, two; test the alternator at idle and high RPM, no load, and three; test the alternator loaded at idle and high RPM. The first two tests would show up fine, and so would a bench test, but a load test on the car would say the alternator is bad. That kinda sounds like what you are saying. This is an internally regulated alternator, right? Just a thought.

IP: Logged

Stewart
Moderator

Posts: 8505
From: Monterey, CA Mustangsandmore Member #437
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 09-30-2002 04:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Stewart   Click Here to Email Stewart     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In addition to what Kyle posted, do you have underdrive pullies? Do you have an aftermarket stereo system with power consuming amps? Is your alternator the stock alternator?

Stewart

IP: Logged

Tim Cash
Gearhead

Posts: 141
From: Clarksville, TN, U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 10-01-2002 09:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tim Cash   Click Here to Email Tim Cash     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Stewart, I have all of the above. Underdrive pullies, aftermarket stereo, and stock alternator.

IP: Logged

Moneymaker
Administrator

Posts: 15755
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99

posted 10-02-2002 12:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Moneymaker   Click Here to Email Moneymaker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Underdrive pulleys are never a good idea for a street car that sees a lot of idle miles.

------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator/ non 65-66 Mustang owner sensitivity co-ordinator

NHRA/IHRA/SRA/MCA member
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Part time secret agent license #0089
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl

Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"

IP: Logged

Stewart
Moderator

Posts: 8505
From: Monterey, CA Mustangsandmore Member #437
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 10-03-2002 03:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Stewart   Click Here to Email Stewart     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Tim, the 2G 75amp stock alternators are barely adequate for our Mustangs. When you add stereo systems and especially underdrive pulleys to the equation, more times than not you'll develop battery draining problems...like you're experiencing now.

Much like needing subframe connectors, The fog light rewire fix, and the broken ashtray lid, one of the more common elements to our Mustangs is upgrading the alternator. Personally, I prefer the Pa-Performance 3G 130amp alternator. There are others out there, but when I priced the Pa-Performance alternator, it wasn't too much more than the remanned 3G 130amp units you can buy at Kragens or Autozone, plus the Pa-Performance unit is 100% new (nothing remanned), there is no core charge, and they have a lifetime warrantee.

If you decide to go that route, you can check out their website at WWW.Pa-Performance.com

Make sure you get their wire upgrade kit for the alternator too. It comes with EXCELLENT instructions and pictures to take all the hassle out of installation.

Stewart

IP: Logged

Tim Cash
Gearhead

Posts: 141
From: Clarksville, TN, U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 11-04-2002 08:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tim Cash   Click Here to Email Tim Cash     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Update. I got a 3G Alternator gonna put it on this weekend. I charged the battery last Tuesday - started the car for about two minutes - turned it off and covered it. Went out this morning - car is completely dead, not even power locks. I am assuming that something is draining the battery. I am also assuming that it has something to do with when I tightened the steering column since that is when the horn went and the drain problem started. I took the cover off and it does not appear that any wires go throught the column at the point of where it was tightened at. Since that time however, as I said the horn is not working and when you put the tilt down, the relay clicks every now and again.

IP: Logged

bubbastang
Journeyman

Posts: 25
From: frederick, md,usa
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-22-2002 10:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bubbastang   Click Here to Email bubbastang     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
did this just start. I mean have had any new electronics (amp or car alarm)intsaled. MY friend installed his amp with full power with key off.

IP: Logged

Stewart
Moderator

Posts: 8505
From: Monterey, CA Mustangsandmore Member #437
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 11-23-2002 12:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Stewart   Click Here to Email Stewart     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Tim, it does indeed sound as if you have a power draw on the battery. However, don't discount the fact that your battery, which has already been drained, then charged, then drained, then charged, might have given up the ghost and can only maintain a superficial charge. Even a new battery drained of power and left to sit too long can lose its ability to hold a charge.

Stewart

PS - I'd try to find the electrical problem in your column too.

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Mustangsandmore Front Page

Copyright 2002, Steve LaRiviere


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47d

Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More

[Where are the M&M Members From?]

[About M&M][Acronym Guide][Calendar of Events][Chat Room][Classified Ads] [Links]

[Members' Photos] [Technical Articles][Ford Parts Number Deciphering

[ Mustangsandmore.com Bookstore] [Advertise on Mustangsandmore.com] [Mustangsandmore.com T-Shirts]