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Electrical Problems

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Offline CBTracker

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Electrical Problems
« on: June 17, 2004, 02:41:49 AM »
I have a problem for any of you automotive electricians. My battery will occasionally just go dead, within a matter of 4 or 5 minutes. I"m gettin 13v across the battery when the truck isn't runnin, and around 15 when it is, so I don't suspect the alternator. It'll run and go fine for a few days, then all of a sudden the battery's dead, I'll boost it then its fine again for another couple of days. I"m thinking it might be a leak or a short somewhere, anyone have any ideas and what the easiest way to test them are? ???
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96 Tracker 2dr on 215s, 2inch suslift soft top, GPS Nav, Light bar.
89 Tracker 2dr hardtop, 235s 1inchsus custom body work, push button starter
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Offline trackermad

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Re: Electrical Problems
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2004, 02:44:17 AM »
I wouldn't count out the alternator just yet.  I had one once that would short out periodicaly just like what you are describing.
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Offline CBTracker

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Re: Electrical Problems
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2004, 02:50:01 AM »
I'm going to bring it into an alternator shop, after a friend takes alook at it, he teaches automotive electrical at the university here. :'(
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96 Tracker 2dr on 215s, 2inch suslift soft top, GPS Nav, Light bar.
89 Tracker 2dr hardtop, 235s 1inchsus custom body work, push button starter
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Offline Zukipilot

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Re: Electrical Problems
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2004, 03:38:38 AM »
When you jump it, does it initally drag (like the battery is dead) or does it fire right up? If it fires right up, Check all of your cables for good connection and condition.

I had the same problen and it ended up being a bad connedtion on the ground wire.

Zig
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Offline dschwab9

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Re: Electrical Problems
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2004, 04:54:44 AM »
Alternator could be starting to fail and shorting intermittently.  15volts is a bit much.  It's not going to blow anything up, but it's a little on the high side.
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Offline Mike71

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Re: Electrical Problems
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2004, 07:18:44 AM »
i had that same problem...the car would just die whenever it wanted (never at home!!!)

the batt always took and held a charge the car always started like a champ it would just die..so i changed the batt and the problem went away has not happened in the 3-4 months that i have had the new batt..so i suspect it was just the batt going

batts live anywhere from 2-7 years...its kinda the luck of the draw. most i have delt with have lasted 3 years and thats about it. the one in my moms 01 GV lasted 3 years also
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Electrical Problems
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2004, 12:26:19 PM »
A flakey Diode in the alternator
can cause backfeed and drain a
battery too, check your battery
connections tho, they are the
most likely problem.
« Last Edit: June 17, 2004, 12:27:01 PM by wildgoody »
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TITAN

Re: Electrical Problems
« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2004, 12:29:33 PM »
check for a loose connection in beetween your alt and the battery it could be not chrging in certain positions... titghten up every bolt and clean allt he poitns that rules out everything that is a free fix so it its not something liek that somethings gotta fixed...
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mperry

Re: Electrical Problems
« Reply #8 on: June 17, 2004, 02:38:19 PM »
Quote
I"m gettin 13v across the battery when the truck isn't runnin, and around 15 when it is, so I don't suspect the alternator.


13V when it won't start??? If it was lower when you are having probs (say, around 12V) then I'd suspect a short. At 13V, you'll probably find a bad connector (as in dirty cables) or a bad starter.  

You local battery shop should be able to tell you which is which.
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Offline CBTracker

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Re: Electrical Problems
« Reply #9 on: June 18, 2004, 11:00:58 AM »
Found out what it was.. I feel pretty stupid now, it was the connection between the battery and the connectors. cleaned them up right good like and she's a fine ride. On, an upnote I bought 4 new tires today, SuperSports at walmarto for 550CDN 215/75/R15s pretty sweet, wish I could show you guys, it looks great next to the new paint job, I'll have to post some pics
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96 Tracker 2dr on 215s, 2inch suslift soft top, GPS Nav, Light bar.
89 Tracker 2dr hardtop, 235s 1inchsus custom body work, push button starter
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