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Topic: power drain (Read 3082 times) previous topic - next topic

power drain

Last weekend while driving I noticed a funny idle I continued to drive then i noticed that  my gagues dimmed. Next my radio cut off and eventualy so did the car. After getting a jump I had to drive home with no lights because it would cut off again. The next day i replaced the battery along with a new altenator. Drove around all day fine until nghtfall battery went dead again. dont no whats wrong could it be voltage regulator or maybe fusible link? :dunno:
88 sport 308 e-303, ported e7's, cobra intake, cold air, under drive pulleys, full exhaust, t5, 373's, smog pump removed, 255 pump, pressure regulator.
                        :birdsmily:
 

Re: power drain

Reply #1 –
I would take the new alternator back and have it tested. I've bought a new alternator before that was no good.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 5.0 Turbocoupe (Katrina), 87 5.0 Sport (Rita)

Re: power drain

Reply #2 –
i did alt tested good.
88 sport 308 e-303, ported e7's, cobra intake, cold air, under drive pulleys, full exhaust, t5, 373's, smog pump removed, 255 pump, pressure regulator.
                        :birdsmily:

Re: power drain

Reply #3 –
How about where the wiring plugs into the side of the alt? The connections can get loose or corroded, and there's a history of the plugs on our cars actually disintegrating, shorting out and causing fires. Many stores include a shiny new plug and several inches of wire for you to splice in.

http://www.interfire.org/res_file/fseab_tv.asp

Just above the pics at the bottom of:

http://www.tbirdranch.com/8788specific.html
Death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.

1988 5.0 Bird, mostly stock, partly not, now gone to T-Bird heaven.
1990 Volvo 740GL. 114 tire-shredding horsies, baby!

Re: power drain

Reply #4 –
Hello,
Not sure if you've solved this problem yet, but here is my experience.
I have an '89 Cougar and about a month ago my dash (digital) and radio stopped working also. Finally, two days ago the car died on my way home from work. It got a new battery and alternator, still didn't solve the problem though. It ended up being the fusible link. Now I've got a new one and everything works fine.
Hope this helps.

D.J.

Re: power drain

Reply #5 –
My dad had the same problem on his pinto. It ended up that he had taken it in to a shop to get new belts. 4 years later he was having the same problem but he only worked 1 mile or so away, so he would just leave in on the charger all night. After he sold the car, the people that he sold it to told him that one of the belts was loose.
It turned out that when he got the belts switched out the place forgot to tighten the belt tensioners
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: power drain

Reply #6 –
Quote from: DJS89REDCOUGAR
Hello,
Not sure if you've solved this problem yet, but here is my experience.
I have an '89 Cougar and about a month ago my dash (digital) and radio stopped working also. Finally, two days ago the car died on my way home from work. It got a new battery and alternator, still didn't solve the problem though. It ended up being the fusible link. Now I've got a new one and everything works fine.
Hope this helps.

D.J.

which fusible link where was it located?
88 sport 308 e-303, ported e7's, cobra intake, cold air, under drive pulleys, full exhaust, t5, 373's, smog pump removed, 255 pump, pressure regulator.
                        :birdsmily:

Re: power drain

Reply #7 –
i would experiment and try removing your underdrive pullies and replacing the original pullies back (if you still got em)....for street cars UD pullies is a no-no
they're excellent for the track not for everyday driving especially a car with accesories.....

Re: power drain

Reply #8 –
...unless you get a 3G alt :D  near every 5.0 mustang left in existance has pulleys, as well as many many other cars. as long as you don't have a bazillion-watt stereo system, there shouldn't be much of a prob. I know the only prob i've had was when I had the heater fan, radio, headlights, brake lights, running lights, and turn signals on, and the battery warn sound comes on.

Re: power drain

Reply #9 –
true, the 3g set up is the best bet, or you can always go for a higher alt....