Electrical INSANITY!

Topic: Electrical INSANITY! (Read 3240 times) previous topic - next topic

Electrical INSANITY!

January 30, 2005, 05:46:07 PM

Got an 84 t-bird, with the TBI 302.

My headlights were cutting on and off randomly... I thought it was because I changed to silverstars. Changed multifunction switch for high beams... Didn't fix it. Changed back to my old headlights, and that didn't fix it... no problem with the wiring... checked it to the switch.

My alternator failed just 2 days ago. Tested bad. (voltage regulator)

Put a new one on, died an hour later. Should test bad.
I'm assuming that my alternator is the problem causing both the headlights and the battery problem. Can't figure out why it's intermittent though. checked the volts to the alternator and it's pushing 12.4... But it seems like it's overcharging and blowing the regulator... all my connections are good... and my battery tested good too.

So could i have just got two junk alternators in a row? or does my headlights have a way of killing my alternator? I don't know... I'll continue to test unless anyone has a better idea?

Re: Something Different

Reply #1 – January 30, 2005, 06:33:27 PM

do a load test on your battery

Re: Something Different

Reply #2 – January 30, 2005, 08:10:12 PM

The battery was charged and load tested before i put the new alternator on. The battery is fine.

I took the alternator i had just replaced back, and it tested bad. Then we tested another one off the shelf... it was bad too! So i'm hoping i got a junk one outta the box. But still can't figure out why my lights work fine, until i switch to the highs. I can run for hours on the low beams (silverstars) but can't use the highs.

Re: Something Different

Reply #3 – January 30, 2005, 08:15:18 PM

Maybe your headlight breaker is worn out. Had the same problem with a 78 olds, replaced the breaker and it was good to go.

Re: Something Different

Reply #4 – January 31, 2005, 08:21:19 AM

tbirdscott is probably right. The headlamp breaker is built into the switch in these cars, so you need a switch. The batt/alt problem is probably unrelated.

Re: Something Different

Reply #5 – January 31, 2005, 05:23:52 PM

Narrow'd it down to the alternator... Also changed the voltage regulator... fixed the charging system.

As for the headlights... Are you talking about the switch on the dash that i pull out for the lights? Cause i was gonna replace it, but not until i get paid friday.

My Repairs didn't last...

Drove with the new alternator, for about an hour and 1/2. Then it just stopped charging. And now it's in the garage getting a re-up on the juices.

SO ... WILL ANYONE please look at their alternator for a 5.0 :ies: (83-85 ) (3 wires that hook onto the alternator) And tell me which one the orange wire goes too... and the black one... I know the red one :shoothead
:bowdown:
Still in the process of checking ALL the wires back to the ignition switch.

Re: Electrical INSANITY!

Reply #6 – January 31, 2005, 07:39:44 PM

http://www.amplepower.com/trouble/alt_sys/

This is how i'm checkin my ignition switch. If anyone might need it.

Re: Electrical INSANITY!

Reply #7 – January 31, 2005, 08:43:28 PM

If the two push on wires on the back of the alternator are backwards it wont charge. I found this out when making the wiring harness for that side, didnt do any harm to the alternator though.

Re: Electrical INSANITY!

Reply #8 – January 31, 2005, 08:51:26 PM

If i reverse, the two wires my battery light comes on. If i switch it back it goes off...
Still checking the wiring... Maybe i got 3 bad alternators in a row?
here we go...

Alternator wiring 101:

Stator wire... Goes to Ignition Switch.

Field Wire (FLD) goes to Regulator switch wire thing.

OUTPUT wire (BAT) Basically it is in the starting circut.

Battery only has 12.35v when running. Regulator puts out 11.41v

So either my alternator... or regulator... or battery is FRIEDCHICKEN!!!! (t-chick?)_

anyway... All my parts are NEW!.... So either this is the 3rd batt alt and 1st reg... to go out. thanx

Re: Electrical INSANITY!

Reply #9 – January 31, 2005, 11:46:00 PM

Where are you getting you alternators from? If you say autozone I am going to smack you.

Re: Electrical INSANITY!

Reply #10 – February 01, 2005, 12:07:08 AM

Me and blu48302 both work at autozone together. All his stuff has come from there. It has been getting pretty bad lately with people always bringing back stuff that is broken.

Re: Electrical INSANITY!

Reply #11 – February 01, 2005, 01:04:53 AM

Yes... I did get it there. But us autozoners get a 20% discount... and it's lifetime warrenty.

but yeah. they suck.

Re: Electrical INSANITY!

Reply #12 – February 03, 2005, 12:30:07 AM

Anyway... Got it fixed!!!!!!!

No output... check alternator wire.

My connecter wasn't good. So i wasted 3 days perfecting my charging system.

But it's good to feel confident about the system.