Electrical problem -- need help
#1
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L V8 350 TPI
Transmission: Automatic
Electrical problem -- need help
Before I get into specifics -- I am a woman, trying to fix this car with not much help, so if I sound dumb... sorry.
Okay so, I have a 89 IROC. The alternator went bad, so I replaced it. Ran fine after that, for one day... THEN, I got in the car to start it up and it was acting like the battery was dead. I tried to jump it.. when I was charging the battery, I turned the key half way and the volt meter in the dash was reading 13ish volts, but when I went to crank it up, it lost charge. I tried a couple more times, but the battery just quit wanting to charge at all... I am assuming there is a short somewhere, but I don't really know for sure. I should add that the battery is only about 2 months old. Any help would be great, and please dumb it down for me, with lots of details. Thanks in advance.
--Megan
Okay so, I have a 89 IROC. The alternator went bad, so I replaced it. Ran fine after that, for one day... THEN, I got in the car to start it up and it was acting like the battery was dead. I tried to jump it.. when I was charging the battery, I turned the key half way and the volt meter in the dash was reading 13ish volts, but when I went to crank it up, it lost charge. I tried a couple more times, but the battery just quit wanting to charge at all... I am assuming there is a short somewhere, but I don't really know for sure. I should add that the battery is only about 2 months old. Any help would be great, and please dumb it down for me, with lots of details. Thanks in advance.
--Megan
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L V8 350 TPI
Transmission: Automatic
Re: Electrical problem -- need help
could it be the ignition switch? how do i check it?
#3
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L V8 350 TPI
Transmission: Automatic
Re: Electrical problem -- need help
Also, when I turn the key, I get no lights, dinging... nothing.
#4
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Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Electrical problem -- need help
You need to charge the battery for several hours - just having a charger connected to a battery won't start a car (unless it's a huge 50 amp charger).
It's possible the bad alternator killed the battery - a bad alternator can ruin a battery, and a bad battery can ruin an alternator. Have the battery tested at any local parts store for free. If it's bad, then only 2 months old, return it to place of purchase for another new one (2 months qualifies as a free exchange usually).
It's possible the bad alternator killed the battery - a bad alternator can ruin a battery, and a bad battery can ruin an alternator. Have the battery tested at any local parts store for free. If it's bad, then only 2 months old, return it to place of purchase for another new one (2 months qualifies as a free exchange usually).
#5
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L V8 350 TPI
Transmission: Automatic
Re: Electrical problem -- need help
You need to charge the battery for several hours - just having a charger connected to a battery won't start a car (unless it's a huge 50 amp charger).
It's possible the bad alternator killed the battery - a bad alternator can ruin a battery, and a bad battery can ruin an alternator. Have the battery tested at any local parts store for free. If it's bad, then only 2 months old, return it to place of purchase for another new one (2 months qualifies as a free exchange usually).
It's possible the bad alternator killed the battery - a bad alternator can ruin a battery, and a bad battery can ruin an alternator. Have the battery tested at any local parts store for free. If it's bad, then only 2 months old, return it to place of purchase for another new one (2 months qualifies as a free exchange usually).
However, My headunit is saying 'failure' and I have no idea what that means.
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Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Electrical problem -- need help
Try pulling out the RADIO fuse, wait a few minutes, and put it back - maybe your headunit needs a 'reboot'. Otherwise, your headunit may have some sort of warning system that needs disabled (warning you that an attempt of theft was made, since it didn't get any battery power) - you might need to go to manufacturer's website and download the manual for your model and see how to reset that "failure" warning.
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Car: 1974 caprice
Engine: tpi 400
Transmission: turbo 350
Axle/Gears: i was robbed of this knowledge
Re: Electrical problem -- need help
it was a bad battery terminal dumasses
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#8
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Car: 1974 caprice
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Re: Electrical problem -- need help
not meghan you shouldnt be expected to know how to diagnose a bad termininal
#9
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Car: 91 Firebird,00 c2500,75 Vette
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Re: Electrical problem -- need help
As for the radio many will say failure when all power is lost to let you know that all presets etc have been erased.
As for the other if the voltmeter did not register the 13 with the charger on I would agree that it was probably a bad connection at the battery terminal. It may have gotten better when reinstalling the battery cables after having it tested.
As for the other if the voltmeter did not register the 13 with the charger on I would agree that it was probably a bad connection at the battery terminal. It may have gotten better when reinstalling the battery cables after having it tested.
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