Baffled and Befuddled: Engine/Electrical Issues

[mretuck]

On the way to work, a 45 minute commute, I noticed my dash lights had dimmed. Looked at the voltmeter, which was way down, not in the red yet. I cautiously (read foolishly) continued to school (I'm a teacher) and the meter slowly drained to the red. My tach and speedometer, which I thought were not electrical, both ceased to work, my blinkers barely worked, my wipers moved very slow, and I didn't risk running the heater. Also, Turned the lights off as soon as safe.

I made it to the parking lot of work and parked. Took a look under the hood. Belts were fine, I was able to move the main pully by hand in turn turning everything, including the wheels, so it didn't appear anything was jammed up. No corrosion on the battery terminal. Try to crank her up, but she was dead.

Went out at lunch, and all seemed back to normal. The voltmeter reads normal, she started right up.


Got home....
Pulled the alt and gave it a visual inspection. No obvious damage or loose components. Had the alternator tested at the local parts shop, said it was fine. Since I had everything pulled apart any way and the water pump was under warranty, I replaced it. Put all back together. Cleaned the snockers out of the terminals and battery post. Put a charger on it overnight.

Next day. All is good. Stayed all good for a week. Last night on the way home, she went out again.....10 miles from home. Battery is dead, all components except the engine go out. And even it has begun to sputter trying to quit on me. Took the battery home, charged overnight, crunk it this morning and drove home. Cam all the way home looking normal. No movement of the meter. Then as I come down the street, the meter drops, surges back up, drops again. In the drive, I could idle up and it would raise the meter.

Now sitting here scratching my head and can't decipher what's up with electrical. I drove to work again.... go maybe 35 miles and normal voltage on the meter. Suddenly the engine light comes on and voltage drops to just above the red line...9 or 10 ish. Drains slightly over the next 15 miles. Crank it that afternoon. Back to normal. Engine light, voltmeter drop happens again on the way home. Had to run errands, and this time the meter dropped to just about dead by the time I made it to the driveway.

Wiring??? Bad battery??? WTF???


p.s. Thanks again for the input. This forum kicks A.


Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Eric

 

[lambo]

I would check the battery ground wire were it is bolted to the block. I had this problem and the connection was kind of loose. I removed the bolt cleaned the terminal and were it bolts onto block, reattached and no More problems. Hope it works for you! {this is the negative wire off the battery to the block}

 

[TLCJ5]

I agree with Lambo...it sounds like a loose or corroded conection,likely ground.
Good luck & let us know what you find.

 

[JPNinPA]

Check all the grounds. Battery to chassis, Alternator to chassis and engine to chassis. Other than that look for other pawer wires that are not fused that may be shorting out. Lastly check th brushed on the laternator if possible. I had a F150 that while running the battery gague would fluxuate and then stop. If you shut the truck off while this was happening it acted like it was dead. Push start or jump it all was fine. It turned out the brusher wore down to where they were shorting to eachother.

Good luck!

PS I realize you had the laternator checked but mine was acting fine 40% of teh time. you had to check it when it was shorting.