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Burned up over electrical problems/1988 F-150

Tiny
DOUG V
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 FORD F-150
1988 Ford F150 Lariat 4WD.223000 KMS.

This truck has been very good up until recently. For what ever reason the battery started going dead overnight, so we checked the alternator and replaced it, later a load test showed that the battery was bad as well, so we changed it too. All the while the battery keeps dying overnight. Now the alternator burned up and the wiring to it while driving and the engine lite started coming on. We replaced the wiring and alternator, checked all battery leads and cleaned the connections and installed a new neg lead to a frame ground but the alternator burned up again.

PLEASE HELP ME.L'M AT WITTS END.
PS My local mechanic says to me " Sounds like you have electrical problems". DO YOU THINK SO!

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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 2:05 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
I would think if you had serious electrical problems that other components would also be affected and fuses would start to go. It could also be that your mechanic is putting in cheap parts as well.
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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 2:48 PM
Tiny
DOUG V
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  • 6 POSTS
THANKS for the quick response Bruce. I understand what you mean by other problems but nothing else seems to be affected. All of the fuses are fine and everything else is working just fine. Lt seems to be a big mystery problem.L read on line that the plugs on the alternator are a problem some times but mine appear ok on a visual inspection. My local auto parts store says that l cant get new ones to replace them, what is a good way to double check them?
Also could you even hazard a guess as to the problem?
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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
CATCH_15
  • MECHANIC
  • 250 POSTS
Also, have you replace the alternator with a rebuilt or a new unit? It may be coincidence but, it could be that you got two bad rebult alternators. I've had the same thing happend with master cylinders.
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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 10:51 PM
Tiny
DOUG V
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  • 6 POSTS
The first alternator that wasn't charging properly was the original, the first one to burn up was a rebuild from canadian tire that l got from a friend, the second alternator came off of a wreck, l was gun shy of wasting more good money on a new one because l was thinking that it was very odd to loose alternators like this, and also the battery draining over night never corrected with all the repairs that were done.L was told that the voltage regulator is built in to my alternator and if the wiring is messed up that it cause it to malfunction and drain my battery, IS THAT POSSIBLE?[/B]
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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 11:34 PM
Tiny
CATCH_15
  • MECHANIC
  • 250 POSTS
Yes, the voltage regulator is internal to the alternator and if it goes bad, the alternator is shot.
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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 11:39 PM
Tiny
DOUG V
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
So if the regulator is shot, will that still cause the battery to drain dead over night.L also noticed that there is a fusable link on the positive feed wire from the alternator to a junction post on the inner fender, could that link be shot, and if so can it be eliminated?
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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 11:46 PM
Tiny
CATCH_15
  • MECHANIC
  • 250 POSTS
No, the voltage regulator won't cause that. It sounds like you have a drain. Here is the procedure we use to isolate a battery drain. Remove negative battery cable from the battery. Using a 12-volt test light, hook one end to the negative battery post the other end to the negative battery cable you just disconnected. The test light will glow or “light” if there is a drain. If the “light or glow” is faint, that is probably normal draw for the clock or computer. If the “light or glow” is bright, then there is a large drain. That should be corrected. Now start removing and replacing the fuses one by one until the light goes out; that one will be the circuit with the drain.
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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 11:52 PM
Tiny
DOUG V
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Sounds good l'll try that in the am. Just curious, where are you in the world. Because its like 1am here and mail says you responded at 10 pm
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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 11:59 PM
Tiny
CATCH_15
  • MECHANIC
  • 250 POSTS
Lexington, KY. I'm on eastern time. I think the website is on pacific time though. It's 1am where I'm at.
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2006 AT 12:03 AM

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