Mach1BBFun

Just bought an 86 GT today and made it home 50min drive and battery was completly drained. It is an original GT car and all the wiring has stayed in place since 86.

I am kind of upset and will be working on it in the morning but it just really pissed me off that the guy didn't tell me I may have to charge it like a ****ing nissian leaf....

Any suggestions on where to start?

The car will get jumped off and stay running but when I turn it off and try to turn it back on it has no power to even turn motor over. There seems to be some kind of drain but only when it is running, I think. Like I said I bought the car about 13hrs ago.

Any suggestions are much appricated. Thanks

4rdnut

remove the battery and alternator and have them tested, also check the black plug that connects to the alternator, they are notorius for building up resistance and burning up. They sell the upgraded alternator plug.

Venomantidote95

ALT gets my vote since the car only uses the battery to crank not to run unless uhoh the alt craps out now it runs on the battery until it dies!

You can get a volt meter and start the car and see if the alt is putting out atleast 13.5 volts if not get a new one!

When you replace the alt FULLY charge the battery if not you WILL cut the lifespan of that alt down!

prangy

I would say the alternator to, everytime you drain the battery it is depreciating the strength of it, so I would not be driving it unless you want a new battery soon to. The reason it will not restart is because the battery is all out of juice from running. Hence why you need the jump.

Mach1BBFun

Went to Advanced today and got the charging system checked. The alternator was sending out 0 amps and the battery wouldn't maintain a charge. Bought a new battery and now looking for an alternator.

I will let everyone know I don't know **** about this voltage regulator built into the alternator and why the thing has 2 harnesses plugged into it. I am used to my 73 motor and wish they wouldn't have changed the technology.....

So any suggestions and can someone explain the two harnesses?

Mach1BBFun

Tuff Stuff 75 amp??

AdderMk2

Buy an aftermarket "one wire alternator" preferably something high amp... like 150+

caspers_mustang

one way to check if its the alt. is by starting up the car and then disconnecting the power lead to the battery if the car stays on its good is it dies the the alt. is no good. at least thats what i was told

AdderMk2

This is also a fantastic way to blow out the voltage regulator in the alternator... Do this entire board a favor, and stop giving out bad tech advise.

Mach1BBFun

Yeah I know that test to be a retards way to the ER.....
But to update the alternator came in today and the car is running like a champ, amazing how different in performace a drained battery and no alternator is to a brand new battery and alternator. I like