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Engine shuts off when I remove the negative battery cable, why?

Tiny
DAVID JONES8
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD E-SERIES VAN
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 298,000 MILES
My 1997 Ford Econoline alternator charges at 13.84, but the engine shuts off when I remove the negative battery cable. Why?
Monday, June 5th, 2023 AT 6:47 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

When you disconnect the battery, you open the circuit, and it prevents the system to maintain the ignition system. On this vehicle, you interrupt the ECM (engine control module) and it shuts it down. Some vehicles are wired differently and will continue running.

Let me know what is happening so I can help.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, June 5th, 2023 AT 9:50 PM
Tiny
DAVID JONES8
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had a bad battery connection so the alternator was not charging my battery good. Last week I went to the store and got back in my van. Dead battery. So, my wife came gave me a jump and I got it running and the terminal came off and it shut off the engine. I checked the voltage and it was charging the battery but that was it. My dad's mechanic told me to change the voltage regulator, so I did. It makes it 14.89 now. But it still shuts off when the battery is disconnected. I know it can run without a battery before. Is I got a new alternator and it works like before running without a battery. Now, it is fixed.
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Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 AT 5:08 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

Thank you for the update. I'm glad to know it's been repaired.

Feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 AT 7:03 PM

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