Charging System Problems

[BoostedGT480]

Found the problem...See post 20 for details

So I have yet another problem that I have been trying to diagnose for the past couple days and I am lost on what it could be.

Brand new PA130 alt
Brand new Optima red top

Just had both tested at a local auto store and both came back good.

I thought everything was running good, but after about a 45minute drive, the car lost all the electronics and then stuttered and then cutoff. Had to end up jump starting it a couple blocks from my house just to get it home. I went over all my connections and everything that I see seems good and solid.

Checked alt. power wire & harness
checked alt fuse under hood
checked both battery terminals
checked emergency shutoff switch
checked grounds [back of head (driver) and motor mount(passenger)]

Also, I would like to put in a note that the battery has been relocated to the trunk. All new wires have been ran. There is a single wire going to the trunk for the power and up front there are power wires tied in that go to the alt and starter. This same setup was used on the old motor and had no issues.


SO, what am I missing?

 

[SherrodMustang]

Good luck figuring it out, electrical problems are a pain in the ass sometimes.

 

[BoostedGT480]

Good luck figuring it out, electrical problems are a pain in the ass sometimes.

Thanks..


Another quick observation. I just reinstalled the new alt and when I spun it, it made a clicking sound. Sounded like 1 tick per rotation. IIRC, my old alt didnt have a clicking sound, so Im wondering if this is normal...I had it tested, but of course it came back good.


I will be getting out the volt meter tomorrow to do some testing...

 

[blacks197]

Have you checked for a bad ground at the battery relocation area? Do you have a cutoff switch at the back?


Sent from my Mind using the Darkside of the Swartz

 

[BoostedGT480]

Have you checked for a bad ground at the battery relocation area? Do you have a cutoff switch at the back?


Sent from my Mind using the Darkside of the Swartz

I got under and checked the ground at the battery relocation area and all seems snug. Its grounded where the exhaust hangers used to go. Also, I do have a cutoff switch at the back right next to the battery

 

[blacks197]

i had a kill switch go out on me and do a similar thing. id try taking the killswitch out of the loop temporarily.

 

[BoostedGT480]

Battery with no ignition - 11.88V
Battery with ignition to on position - 11.76V
Mustang cranked - 11.56V

I checked the kill switch as well (both on and off) and it reads same voltage (actually .01 better) than the battery.

Seems like this is an alt problem, but it tested good at O' Reilly's...Maybe voltage regulator problem?

 

[blacks197]

how is the large wire off the alt connected to the battery cable

 

[BoostedGT480]

how is the large wire off the alt connected to the battery cable

It was from the previous owner, but the thick power wire comes through and the other 2 wires (alt and starter) are Y'd off of it. I assume its soldered looking through his other wiring jobs. Its all heat shrinked so can tell exactly. But this same setup never gave me a problem with the old setup

 

[Mustang30212]

Just as long as you didn't solder it right? LOL

RH

 

[rojizostang]

here's a dumb question. what pulley is on the alternator? is it possible that if it's the clutch style pulley you could have a problem with it not spinning up to full speed to adequately charge the battery? i'm not even sure if that's possible. i ditched mine when i installed the saleen udp's.

 

[BoostedGT480]

here's a dumb question. what pulley is on the alternator? is it possible that if it's the clutch style pulley you could have a problem with it not spinning up to full speed to adequately charge the battery? i'm not even sure if that's possible. i ditched mine when i installed the saleen udp's.

I have an 8 rib pulley on it. I know several people running these pulleys so I dont think thats the problem, but its likely

 

[SherrodMustang]

Just as long as you didn't solder it right? LOL

RH

HAHAHA.... Good one. Just picking on you Brandon!

 

[toorbeenee]

i was looking at there website and i saw this note:

** We require that you upgrade the main power wire due to higher output than stock on vehicles where this is an upgrade**

 

[tmcolegr]

i was looking at there website and i saw this note:

** We require that you upgrade the main power wire due to higher output than stock on vehicles where this is an upgrade**

That statement only applies to their 200 amp alternator as the OEM 8 gage fusible link is not rated for 200 amps. He's only using a 130 amp alternator so his wiring does not require this upgrade.

 

[tmcolegr]

Battery with no ignition - 11.88V
Battery with ignition to on position - 11.76V
Mustang cranked - 11.56V

I assume those voltage checks were performed at the battery? What was the voltage at the (+) battery terminal on the back of the alternator?

 

[BoostedGT480]

I assume those voltage checks were performed at the battery? What was the voltage at the (+) battery terminal on the back of the alternator?

I tried checking it, but I couldnt get a good test. The meter was jumping around and spitting out numbers that I know arent correct. It kept showing numbers of 20+ all the way up to 180+V. Its hard to get down in that cranny to the back of the alt to get a good connection

Just as long as you didn't solder it right? LOL

RH

HAHA! I will not be soldering anymore - trust me!

 

[SherrodMustang]

I tried checking it, but I couldnt get a good test. The meter was jumping around and spitting out numbers that I know arent correct. It kept showing numbers of 20+ all the way up to 180+V. Its hard to get down in that cranny to the back of the alt to get a good connection



HAHA! I will not be soldering anymore - trust me!

^LOL

 

[05bluestang]

I had a similar problem with my charging system, my check charging system warning came on, headlights flickerd (really bad at high rpms), car lost a lot of power. Changed battery and battery cable ends, nothing. Took off the old alternator and when I did i noticed the that the sheating and one of the three wires comming from the plug on the alternator was melted because it touched a radiator hose. Soldered the wire and shrink wrapped it, problem solved, car runs like a champ..........

Just an idea..............

 

[BoostedGT480]

FOUND IT!!!

This is the wire that is running from my power wire to the alternator...The other day I noticed smoking and noticed that wire loom got close to the header...Well I didnt think it went all the way through....Well the pic shows otherwise