Shelby_Daytona

hello,
I just bought an 88 5.0 LX Notch, with 140,000 KM (canadian) in MINT shape. I got about half way home on a 2 hour drive and the AMP guage was charging in the almost the red zone, and eventually was. I pulled into a gas station and shut it off, it wouldnt start. I boosted it, made it almost home, died just as I pulled into Partsource to buy a new alternator. Changed that, still not charging, swapped the battery with one that I know is good. Still not charging. I put the original battery back in, with the 5.0 boosted from my truck it charges at the 2nd white line, still nowhere in the normal zone, but as soon as i disconnect the jumper it goes back down to almost the red zone. I need help, I am lost, and frustrated that I spent $6500 on a car that died on the way home. Obviously there is a draw somewhere, but I have no idea where to start. Any Ideas or Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks alot
Jay

8URWS6

I know this sounds crazy, but I've run into this a lot before. I would make sure that the new altenator is good. If so then I would check the voltage comming from the wiring harness. Then I would check the voltage at the battery with the car running. Last thing make sure that the amp gauge is good, they have been known to be bad... a 5.0 factory gauge not reading right? yeah!!!

grabbem88

hows all the connections?....take alt back...might be bad

5.0 MPG

ground, ground, ground..........

Shelby_Daytona

okay, tomorrow I will take the alternator back and see if it is good or not.

Ground, ground, ground...... what do you mean by that, that I need more grounds? or that I need to check the grounds? I know and I already thought of that but wasnt sure where to start....electrical is messed up.

Thanks for the advice, if you have any more let me know, thanks

Ecstasy

if you think its the alternator go get one from napa youll pay a little more maybe but ill back it up 100% that if you think somethings the problem and you buy that part from napa you can eliminate that problem, and move on to what you think it is next.

Drexl

+1 one on a bad ground.

Shelby_Daytona

Turns out it was a wire shorting with the body, but the original alternator was bad as well. Replaced with new unit, works perfect. So, it was the alternator and a fusable link