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1983 Dodge Ram electrical I am pretty sure

Tiny
CHEYVEST
  • MEMBER
  • 1983 DODGE RAM
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 77,500 MILES
I have put in an alternator, a new battery, and put on new terminal ends and the van keeps dying it is the royal edition and I thought that was everything that would keep it from dying but it dies every time I drive for a little while and it won't start if I shut it off and when it dies it won't turn over or anything UT the longer it sits the lights will start to work and it will kinda turn over but it will click instead of starting. I don't have any clue what to do and this is two vehicles now sitting in my driveway not running at all. Please help feel free to ask whatever you need to know to help me get this right. Thank you
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Saturday, March 29th, 2014 AT 12:55 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
It sounds like you just aren't producing enough voltage while running. If you can get it to a parts store they can check your voltage while running. The van should charge at no less than 13.5 volts at idle with all electrical accessories on. You could have a simple wiring issue or a bad battery, alternator or both. If you go to the store where you purchased the parts to have them checked then they can warranty them then and there.
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Saturday, March 29th, 2014 AT 1:15 AM
Tiny
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I forgot to mention that I have had both checked and they are apparently reading fine. That's why I'm so stumped.
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Saturday, March 29th, 2014 AT 1:26 AM
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
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Ok. Then there's a problem it the battery cables themselves. Check for green copper in the cables or loose connections at both ends. It's definitely not charging properly. You should be able to twist or remove the battery cable ends on the batter without using a wrench to loosen them first. If you used the cable ends that has the piece of metal that holds the bare copper wire then you shouldn't be able to pull the wires out. I don't care for those. But they are better than broken or stretched old ones
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Saturday, March 29th, 2014 AT 1:38 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
RECKON HE MEANT."NOT" BE ABLE TO MOVE THE CLAMPS BAREHANDED

I HAVE A FEW HOMEMADE PICS ON THE BATTERY STUFF

DO YOU HAVE A VOLTMETER?

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, March 29th, 2014 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
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Well when I check the battery cable it's self today it does have the green gunk on the copper wiring so hopefully that's it I do not have a voltmeter but I took it to o'rielly's last week and they said the battery is fine
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Saturday, March 29th, 2014 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
JUST TO KEEP YOU GOING....AND MAYBE STILL MOTIVATED, SHOULD THE "GREEN" NOT BE THE "FULL PROBLEM"

I LIKE LINKING......IT LET'S ME SHARE LOTS OF INFO.....I DON'T HAVE TO RE-TYPE IT ALL!

YOU MAY HAVE TO "WEED OUT" SOME OF THE STUFF THAT DOES NOT PERTAIN TO YOUR PROBLEM OR YOUR VEHICLE.........THIS DOES SHOW THE NEED FOR A CHEAP DIGITAL VOLTMETER, WHICH CAN BE USED SITTING STILL.......OR WITH LONG JUMPER WIRES (ETC), YOU CAN MONITOR THE VOLTAGE AS YOU DRIVE

THE CONCERNS ARE........IS THE BATTERY BEING CHARGED WHILE DRIVING?.........IS SOMETHING SUCKING THE LIFE OUT OF IT WHILE IT IS PARKED?

SEE "MY ANSWERS" IN THESE LINKS

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1989-ford-f-250-battery-wouldn-t-stay-charged-tested-good-tested-altenator

HERE'S THE OTHER

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2002-acura-mdx-battery-always-dead

YES....THERE ARE LINKS IN THEM......MORE GOOD INFO THAT MAYBE YOU HAVE NOT THOUGHT ABOUT.....I'LL FILL YOUR PLATE THE 1ST TIME.....COME BACK FOR SECONDS IF YOU NEED TO!..........I NEVER GET TIRED OF RESPONDING

I'M NOT TRYING TO GIVE YOU THE RUN AROUND...I'M TRYING TO GIVE YOU ALL THE POSSIBILITIES I CAN THINK OF........NOT JUST A QUICK, TEXTBOOK ANSWER THAT YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND!

YOU ARE LUCKY THAT YOU HAVE A EZ TO REPAIR CARBURETED NON-COMPUTERIZED VEHICLE..............I HAVE TWO DAILY DRIVERS OF MY OWN, A '46 AND A '77

KEEP US POSTED!

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, March 29th, 2014 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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ONE OTHER THING I WANTED TO ASK

YOU SAID IT DIES GOING DOWN THE ROAD

ANY SORTA SYMPTOMS AS IT DIES?

ARE YOU RUNNING THE BATTERY DEAD ATTEMPTING TO RE-START IT (OVER AND OVER)?

. OR IT JUST CLICKS, ETC. DURING YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO RESTART IT?

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, March 29th, 2014 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
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It doesn't even click first time and you can feel it losing power when you try to accelerate and it will do it for just a second before it dies and it won't restart. None of my lights flicker or anything it just loses power and dies and since it's so old it doesn't have an engine light or anything the fasten seat belt light comes on with a loud buzz right after it dies.
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Sunday, March 30th, 2014 AT 9:35 PM

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