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OK WTF! I have put in my 5th alt and 6th battery in 4 months.... i got a motorcraft, and a new battery today. and sure as hell after 30 mins of driving the damn Battery light comes on. then the ABS lights then the check engine light. I put contact grease on the battery, and the post on the alt. is something loose on the frame that is connected to a ground? Normally when the alt starts to go and the battery drains down the battery light gradually gets brighter, but now when the light comes on it just pops up and there it is. what is weird is when the car drops to a really low idle the alt starts to charge sometimes. FYI the car is charging at 16.8!!!! is that to effin high? is there a voltage reg that is keeping the battery from charging? need help thanks guys. also sorry i haven't posted in awhile. i have been out of country for work. thanks alot!
Stu
Posted by: MarkOfDeath
wow, you blowing any fuses, smell burning wire?
Posted by: the_1calledgod
Nope. not burning or blowing fuses at all. she just drives untill the battery dies, and the injectors shut off and thats it....
Posted by: JoeyLincolnMK8
what kind of CA battery are you putting in there? also how is your battery terminals?
Posted by: the_1calledgod
im using a DieHard Maxx-65S and its yellow. and the terminals are brand new with 100lbs of contact grease. keep the questions comin we will figure this out. thanks
stu
Posted by: JoeyLincolnMK8
but how many Cranking Amps does it have? just curious.
Posted by: the_1calledgod
850 cranking amps and like 750 cold i think.
Posted by: Psychostang
First off, all connections should be spotless. There should be no grease of any kind between the connectors and the battery posts. Second, 16.8volts is an overcharge. Have you checked both of your positive and negative wires? Are they original? Have you checked the little pigtail wire that comes out of the alternator housing. You might have a broken connection there. I believe that is the control wire, so the regulator knows how much of a load is on the system. Since your have had so many alternators and batteries, I would suspect the problem is with the vehicle.
Posted by: the_1calledgod
is it possible all connections are good, but the alt is overcharging so much the car is overriding the alt. Like disconnecting itself with the voltage reg? is that possible? BTW i have another Brand New MotorCraft alt coming whats another $320.00 at this point.
Posted by: bufordtpisser
If your alternator is putting out 16.8 volts, then there is a definate issue with the alternator. When the alternator goes over 15 volts, the internal regulator should ground the field circuit and stop producing current or bring it to a level that will only keep the car and the accessories running. If the alternator stays in a constant stage of overcharge, something is signalling the alternator for more current. Most of the time it is a bad connection at the alternator that causes an issue like this or just a very badly built alternator. This is one for a professional alternator shop to look into. I have seen cars with weak solenoids that were pulled in far enough to cause a constant current draw, but not quite enough to cause the starter to engage. I have also seen this on cars with bad grounds. either way, the batteries and alternators should be under some kind of warranty unless they are being bought from a salvage yard used.
And it is perfectly acceptable to put dielectric grease on the post and the terminal before connecting them. This is how you prevent corrosion. It must be dielectric grease though. Or you could leave them dry and connect them and then spray a sealer over them after the connection is made. On my big trucks with multiple batteries, I always coated the terminals before connection in order to prevent corrosion and as an aid in dissassembly at a later date.
Posted by: the_1calledgod
ok we are getting closer. the alt is pushing 16.8 with no load. i tested it at autozone on the machine, and i tested it with a volt meter while it was still on the car. So that is totally right. if the car is overcharging the car knows to disable the charging system to the car. I have 2 motorcrafts coming here at 12:00, and i hope one of them will work. If i get the same results i know there is something else wrong. I mean WTF are the chances you get a Alt that Overchargers? those Malayias know how to make a hot alt! K i'll keep everyone posted on what happens after the swap. ttyl
Stu
Posted by: the_1calledgod
Ok.... So I got the New motorcraft Alt, and problem solved. Don't ever buy a Fawking Alt that is not Motorcraft! All other Alt suck my hairy white As$. Thanks for the help. the new alt charges at 15 even. so... if your alt is overcharging your car is gonna run of Aux power untill the battery dies. Thanks again!
Stu
