ugh electrical problem

[keithchambers]

hey guys. so ive had a problem for a while with my 83. 351. been sitting in driveway for a few weeks now. replaces entire starting system. truck was running good for a while. recently died. figured it was alternater. i could jump it, took a while. but i got it running and when i turned it off the batteries were dead again. its got a new voltage reg. so i figured it was alternator. it still does the same thing. on the terminal thats lable FLD on the alternator, its got a wire and a runny connector square thing on the end. nothing plugged into it.....i thought it was always like that? the charge systems worked when i first got the truck. i thought that the FLD was supposed to go directly to the alternator. Altornator has an F terminal which looks like it goes and is tied do another wire thats plugged on the alternator. am i missing something. anyone have a straight forward wireing diagram for this? or tell me how its supposed to be hook up. thanks guys.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

Its possible that you need a new battery. It may not be holding a charge anymore and needs to be replaced.

How to check your battery

http://www.fordforumsonline.com/forum/electrical-lighting/111-howto-check-your-battery.html

 

[keithchambers]

yeah im gonna check that out. theres 2. i bought new before winter. but i have let them charge and die so many times im wondering if thats it. still trying to figure out where the FLD wire goes. if anywhere

 

[Seabronc]

Quick check of alternator. 1st Get the battery charged at a garage. Get the engine running. Check the voltage at the battery terminals for 13.5 to about 14.5. If voltage is not in that range the alternator is not charging. Possible problems, broke wire, alternator bad, ground connection from battery (-) to engine block/frame bad, battery cable/s bad. Clean all connections and check the condition of the cables, especially at the lugs, clean all connections including those to the starter from the solenoid to the starter.

If your alternator is bad, you may want to consider doing a 3G alternator upgrade.

Good luck,

>-

 

[keithchambers]

i will do all that tomrrow! seabronc, what do you say about that goofy wire im talking about?

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Keith,

The wire you describe is for the field wireing in the alternator. The black thing you mentioned is probably for radio static supression. A pic would sure help to figure out where it exactly goes.

As Joe said you may need a new battery, or to get it fully charged. It takes .6V to turn a transistor "on", so if the battery is really weak it could hamper the alternators ability to work properly.

Charging and discharging batteries are actually beneffitial to them, as long as they are not overcharged. The charging action helps displace calcium and other minierals from the plates. I knew a GM electrical engineer that renewed a hugh Bus battery using the charge discharge technique.

Good Luck

 

[keithchambers]

Wow. Thanks man. Thats very helpful. Where can i take then to get charged. Do you think running the truck for a long time and driving it will help. So far ive been afraid to leave the property with it lol so i havnt really tried that yet

 

[miesk5]

yo,

Wiring Diagram in 83 - 2nd diagram

Source: by Seabronc (Rosie, Fred W) at Ford Bronco Zone Forums

http://broncozone.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=11379

Take it to Wal mart or NAPA for re-charge and then back for charging & starting sys checks

"...Because many of the new alternators are capable of charging at rates in excess of 110 Amps, the battery should be fully charged before use to avoid overheating the alternator by trying to use it as a battery charger. Alternators are NOT battery chargers, they are battery maintainers as well as supplying current for vehicle amenities. Symptoms of this type of damage are a burnt stator.

Rear alternator bearing failure may be caused by over tightening the belt or a seized belt tensioner. The bearing is retained in the alternator by either an aluminum ring or a plastic retainer, which under pressure, will collapse. Drive belt slippage may cause overheating and bearing damage. Thread damage on the rotor of the alternator is caused by improper pulley installation methods. Cracked terminal insulators are cuased by over tightening the terminal nuts. Improper changing of the alternator clock postion may result in broken brushes and brush holders..."

Source: by thirskauto.net via web.archive.org

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Keith,

You can buy inexpensive chargers at Parts stores and Wally world. A battery reacts better to a slow steady charge rather than a quick charge. The trickle charge/ maintainers are good for vehicles that don't get driven often.

I think you would have to drive quite a ways to fully charge a dead battery. It's said you have to drive over 5 miles just to return the charge you used to start the vehicle.

Good Luck