[Shotimes] major charging problem (long)

[John J. Weidenbenner]

The battery is always suspect if it's more than a couple years old. Autozone
can load check it for a weak or shorting cell. I've had good reliability
with their batteries.

The 93 atx has a Mitsubishi alternator. Mine had a bad diode twice. That
limits the charging output to the point that it won't properly charge the
battery and can't keep up with the demands of the electrical system.
Sometimes the battery will light and go off after reving the engine,
sometimes not. Call around for prices and make sure it's the right one, 93
atx only.

The condition of the cable connections and the cables themselves can also
create these problems.

The ignition switch, if worn and sloppy won't turn everything off while
still being able to pull the key out. That's another possibility.

Let us know what you find.

John W.
93 atx


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bobby Campbell" <bcampbell10@woh.rr.com>
To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 7:47 PM
Subject: [Shotimes] major charging problem (long)


>     Went out a few weeks back and for the first time since getting my
93atx I
> had to use the key to get into it. The battery was completely dead after
> sitting for 3 days. Not being a electrical wiz, I recharged the battery
and
> kept the cables disconnected. After charging I let it sit for a few days
and
> it held charge so I drove it up to autozone and had them check the
charging
> system. It's only about 4 miles there from my house but it was dark and
had to
> run lights so about halfway there things systems in the car started
shutting
> down. First to go was the anti-lock braking and the lights got real dim. I
> made it there though and popped the hood before going in with the engine
> running. Big mistake as I forgot the doors were locked and when we came
out I
> couldn't get into my own car. Forcing the throttle closed as much as it
would
> go killed the engine and they much appreciated by me charged the battery
back
> up to get me home. Everything worked again after charging but I barely
made it
> home. They said I made it there on about 7 volts left in the battery. Took
it
> up again in the daytime not having to run the lights and made it ok so
they
> checked the system and it put out over 14 volts so the charging system was
> working. Got it home and recharged the battery and had a buddy check for
> amperage draw pulling each fuse under the hood and under the dash with no
> change on the meter.
>      A little history...the antenna seemed to have a mind of it's own back
in
> the early summer and would go up and down with the radio not even turned
on.
> It seemed to clear up on it's own, as it quit doing that around Sept.
Don't
> know if that had anything to do with it but I'm just about out of ideas.
About
> the only thing I do know is the battery and alternator are working right,
it
> seems to have a draw on the battery that kills it in about 2-3 days
though.
> Any ideas would be helpful before I totally give up on it and take it to
the
> local stealership and let them have a go at it.
>     Thanks in advance