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I just bought a brand new alternator because I thought my old alternator was shot. When I tested the batteries with the car off, the voltage read 12.5, with the car on it read 12.1. The same thing is happening with my new alternator. Does anybody have any suggestions or hints or any type of advise.
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Posts: 54 | From: Plymouth, WI, USA | Registered: May 1999
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posted
not sure of the type of car but if it has a external regulator check that. If it is an internal regulator check to make sure the car is sending a signal to the alternator to turn it on. The computer has to send a signal to turn on the Alternator to have it start charging the system. Also make sure that the fusible link between the alternator and battery is not broken and that there is a good connection between the alternator and battery.
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How old is the battery? Would it be beneficial to charge the battery with an external charger or jump to optimum juice level? Then, your alternator would just have to replenish from X level to full, and not from N to full, given that N is less than X.
Don't know if that will help, was just a thought....worked for my old S-10, but then again, could push-start it too....stick and mountains .
ub
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Posts: 7272 | From: No. VA | Registered: May 1999
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The car is a 1982 Ford Escort Station Wagon. Does anybody know if it has an external regulator or not? The batteries are brand new. I was thinking it might be the ignition system (spark plugs and wires, etc.). Any more ideas.
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Posts: 54 | From: Plymouth, WI, USA | Registered: May 1999
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posted
On stock Ford wiring going to the alternator, there are 3 wires. I know the large wire runs to the positive of the battery. The other 2 I have no clue what they do. In one of the posts above I read that the alternator needs to be turned on. If the car is running does one of the 2 wires, that I don't know anything about, see any voltage at all. In my situation neither one of these wires sees any voltage. Could anybody give me some thoughts on my ramblings and maybe get me back in the lanes. Thanks.
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Posts: 54 | From: Plymouth, WI, USA | Registered: May 1999
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Check your battery cables. Sounds like your negative is rotted out. Is it getting green in places?Or check w/ ohm-meter.Plus clean off the batt. terminals with a wire brush, baking soda and water.
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Check your battery cables. Sounds like your negative is rotted out. Is it getting green in places?Or check w/ ohm-meter.Plus clean off the batt. terminals with a wire brush, baking soda and water.
posted
Check your battery cables. Sounds like your negative is rotted out. Is it getting green in places?Or check w/ ohm-meter.Plus clean off the batt. terminals with a wire brush, baking soda and water.
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You should get 12V across one of those 3 wires constant, across another with ignition on. I believe the old escorts use an external regulator. Follow the wiring from the Alt., you should find the one goes to the battery, but where do the other 2 go to? Maybe a box on the wheel well or firewall??
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Posts: 3120 | From: nowhere | Registered: May 1999
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In my deceased Mazda, if I unhooked the instrument cluster, the alternator would not charge, and so the truck ran solely off the battery, and voltage was around 12.2V. Plugged the instrument cluster back in and the alternator brought everything back up to 14.8V. If you've done cab mods and removed your speedometer and gauges, that might be the problem.
K.O.B.
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Time for a comeback!
Posts: 219 | From: Monroe,NC USA | Registered: May 1999
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KOB, You are a genius. After many alternators and regulators I have come to the conclusion that there has to be some sort of open circuit and the only place I broke and circuit was when I unplugged the instrument cluster. Now the next problem, anybody know where I can get a stock instrument cluster for a 1982 Ford Escort Station wagon?
KOB, we're waiting to see what you come up with next, good luck!!!!
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Posts: 54 | From: Plymouth, WI, USA | Registered: May 1999
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adam go to your local junkyard and get one so that the shaggin wagon can make the madison show on sunday and you can see the return of my rabbit
-------------------------------------------------------------------- anthony lloyd team epicenter "step up to the button!!!"
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Posts: 3337 | From: Loves Park , Ill | Registered: May 1999
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Anthony, MTX only sent me back one amp so far or else I would be there. I'll be there with Josh though. Thanks for all the advice, I rigged up my own regulator, hopefully it'll be able to handle the abuse it's going to go through. Hopefully be ready for the Indianapolis show.
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Posts: 54 | From: Plymouth, WI, USA | Registered: May 1999
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posted
adam i found out today when we got the rabbit done and playin i didnt blow 1 amp i blew up 2 so now im kinda screwed but i still have a visa to buy a new one so the rabbit will make to madison
------------------------------------------------------------------- anthony lloyd team epicenter "step up to the button!!!"
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Posts: 3337 | From: Loves Park , Ill | Registered: May 1999
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