charging system issues
03-29-2008, 01:32 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
charging system issues
I have a 1988 5.0 coupe. I installed a new battery and had the alternator checked which came back good. The car sat for a few years behind a buy here pay here lot so I don't know the whole story of why it was sitting. Anyways this is my first mustang so where doI start to identify the charging system problem. As of right now the car isn't charging at all.
03-29-2008, 03:20 PM
#2
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: sleeping with the enemy
Posts: 998
RE: charging system issues
check to make sure your battery cables are good and tight. what do you mean its not charging. so the car cranks and then dies. then your alt isn't working properly. need more info
03-29-2008, 03:49 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
RE: charging system issues
The battery cables are new and tight. Once I got the alternator back on I put my meter on the battery and it's not charging at all. If you take the positive cable off the car dies. According to the part store's machine the alternator is charging and the diode is good. I don't exactly know what other information you need. This was late last night so after putting the meter on it and moving plugs back and forth I called it a night since I had to be at the Fire Dept early today.
03-29-2008, 06:03 PM
#4
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location:
Posts: 94
RE: charging system issues
check the plug on top of the alt see if it looks melted or not, trace the wires, check all your grounds from head to fire wall, batt to block, one could be corroded...and if i remember correctly if your alt is good you can take your postive wire off the batt while the car is running and it sould stay running for a sht period of time...i could be wrong
03-29-2008, 07:23 PM
#7
M.A.D. Motorsports
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 8,014
RE: charging system issues
Did that have any affect?? If you are starting just fine it sounds like the grounds are good so you have enough cranking power. I would buy a new alternator anyway even if they did say it was good and you can't find any thing else. There are fusable links in that wiring harness going to the alternator and starter solinoid. They are really thick spots in the wire so they are obvious once you find them.
03-29-2008, 07:31 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
RE: charging system issues
That's one of my other issues my volt guage doesn't work. I've been using a volt meter at the battery. I really just didn't want to get into the fusible links unless I had to. What do you guys think about that bottom plug that had corrosion on it?
03-29-2008, 07:39 PM
#10
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
RE: charging system issues
Yea I know exactly where the fussible links are I was just not wanting to go there. I was moving them and all the other plugs/wires trying to get some juice. I guess I'll buy a new alt.What is the 3g?
