[Shotimes] Semi-OT: '95 SLO Charging system

[Ian Fisher]

There's a site out there with the Ford manuals on it.
They probably have a troubleshooting section for
alternators in the SLO manual.

www.jonheese.com/fordcds

;)

Ian

--- Jon Heese <shotimes@jonheese.com> wrote:

> Just an update on the charging system problem in my
> '95 Vulcan SLO:
> 
> WARNING: DON'T TRUST AUTOZONE'S ALTERNATOR TESTER
> 
> It incorrectly concluded that my bad alternator was
> good and cost me a 
> day of troubleshooting by my assuming the results
> were accurate.
> 
> One thing I noticed: The AZ alt tester tests the
> alternator in 3 phases, 
> noting on the display screen which test is running
> at the given moment. 
>   In order, the 3 phases are "Alternator Test" (I
> assume this is where 
> mine would've failed), "Rectifier Test", "Regulator
> Test".  The first 
> phase runs for maybe 3-5 seconds, and the remaining
> phases run for the 
> balance of the ~30 second test.
> 
> Now, when I'd start the car, it would appear to
> charge the battery 
> properly for the first few seconds (which was right
> when the alt tester 
> was testing the output) and then it would quit
> charging and the system 
> voltage would start dropping.  It is my theory that
> the reason why the 
> tester cleared my alternator as "GOOD" was because
> the "Alternator" 
> phase of the test was too short.
> 
> I ended up taking it down to my mechanic friend who
> ran through the 
> Service Manual diagnostic tests and concluded the
> alt was bad.  I 
> replaced it with a brand new Bosch unit ($150 after
> my "friend" 
> discount) and after more than a week, I've had no
> problems with the 
> charging system and it's measuring an even 14V while
> running.
> 
> Thanks again to everyone who helped out with
> suggestions.
> 
> Regards,
> Jon Heese
> 
> Jon Heese wrote:
>  > After the last voltmeter test showed some raised
> battery voltage 
> while running, I decided to go out and run the car a
> little bit to see 
> if the battery seemed to get stronger or weaker.
>  >
>  > Results:  After about 2 minutes holding it around
> 1500 RPM, the dash 
> lights started to dim, turning on the headlights
> noticeably dimmed 
> everything even more, the car started running a
> little rougher than 
> normal, and interestingly, as I turned the headlight
> switch from off to 
> the parking lights, to headlights on, the tach
> jumped a couple hundred 
> RPM.  Not the engine, just the tach.  Also, it
> seemed like the tach 
> refused to drop below 1000 RPM, even when I let it
> idle (~750 RPM).
>  >
>  > I'm thinking there's definitely something funny
> going on with a 
> ground somewhere...  Any ideas of places to check?
>  >
>  > Regards,
>  > Jon Heese
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