New alternater, new battery, still not providing the juice! 1992 5

[griff]

I was driving to work and the radio stopped. Looked over at the gauge and saw the needle on 8 (empty juice).  Turn signals barely worked, et al. Got a new Ford max power battery. Nada. Got a new alternater. Nada. The vehicle will run, but just not getting the juice (turn signal barely blinks). Any ideas? I'm taking it in for a check on the battery/alternater but trying to think past it if it could be something else.

1992 XLT 145K 5.8 351 Stock

Thanks for any advice,

griff

 

[miesk5]

yo GRIFF,

This is from 96 Bronco Work Shop  Manual, PARTIAL, on-line

Use Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter 105-R0051 or equivalent to perform electrical pinpoint tests.

BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM Condition Possible Source Action

• System Does Not Charge

• Loose or worn drive belt.
• Open/voltage drop in Circuit 38 (BK/O).
• Open/voltage drop in Circuit 36 (Y/W).
• Open/high resistance in Circuit 904 (LG/R).
• Damaged regulator.
• Damaged generator battery.

• GO to Pinpoint Test A.

.

• Battery Does Not Hold a Charge

• Battery drain.
• Open or high resistance in wiring.
• Damaged regulator.
• Generator.

• GO to Pinpoint Test L

BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM
 

• Voltage Gauge Reads Low

• Charge indicator.
• Damaged regulator.
• Generator.

• GO to Pinpoint Test H.

   

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Griff...,

"TEST-TEST-TEST"

I know it's tough but most any auto parts store can do the basic tests to determine what is/or isn't the problem.

Sure saves throwing parts/$$ at it.  Pull into one when any like issues occur in the future.

In your case, this issue sounds like what we hear here on a daily basis.

Bad/corroded/rotted ground &/or pos. bat. cables..., &/or one or more ground connections.

--- could be but, not limited to the above.---

 

[Seabronc]

Yup! As Bully Bob said, test and save your money for the actual problem.   Read the statement below.  It will save you a lot of money.

Good luck,

>-

 

[griff]

Thanks for the support miesk5, Bully Bob & Seabronc! I'm off to do some testing...will report back from the field after battle!

griff

 

[griff]

I went out to commence testing and the damn thing started right up. I drove it down the street and the juice meter on the dash was perfect. Cannot explain how it went from draining one night to perfect the next day unless the car gods decided to toss one in my favor this time around (they did owe me!)...

Thanks again for the feedback,

griff

 

[Bully Bob]

That's normal...!!!

Things magically work when you show rig to someone or a mechanic.

The auto parts are limited as to what they can test & you already bought two that they test.

I would still do the tests.., even pull codes.

Don't mean to be the barer of bad news but it could "rear it's ugly head" again.

Guessing there's something lose (wire, etc.) in the charge system.

 

[Seabronc]

If it gets wierd on you again, check all the battery cables and connections + and - .  Remove them clean the lugs and contact surface, and inspect the battery cables for corrosion where the lugs connect to the cable.

Good luck,

>-   

 

[wileec]

Cables. Do a continuity test on the positive and negative cables.