1992 Nissan 4X4 Pickup 153K miles

Tiny
OLDPOSSUMBOOKS.COM
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  • 1992 NISSAN TRUCK
Hi, I recently purchased a 1992 nissan pickup from a friend with 153K miles on it. He put a new battery in the truck because it had been sitting a year, some gas, and it fired pretty much right away. He drove it 30 miles to my house, and then 30 miles home, without problems. Then he drove it 20 miles to a neutral place where I was able to pick it up after purchase. I live in Colorado and it has been in the low single digits of late. Anyway when I picked up the truck it was slow to crank, but it turned over. I drove it around town a bit, then drove it home. I went out that night (first time I turned on the lights) I left the lights on by accident for 5 minutes while doing something. When I went to start truck, dead battery. So I got a jump and drove 5 minutes home, by the time I got home it was dead, and I had to jump it in my driveway to get it into the Garage. I took out the alternator, had it tested at NAPA, they said it was firing perfectly. It was a little loose and was missing a nut which I fixed when I put it back together, the belt seems to be working fine and turning the alternator. SO the question is, if the battery is fine and the alternator is fine, what is my electrical problem? Any ideas would be appreciated, or any help. Do you even think it is an electrical problem, or do I need to just get a good charge on the batter to give the alternator a chance to work?
Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 12:04 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
BACKYARDMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
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I don't think you have a charging problem but a combination of things, like the cold weather, loose connections, and draining the battery down with the lights. There are two things that I can think of that might be a problem. One is the battery the the right rating for the car. Second is a short or a constant drain on the battery. I don't believe there is a short because you don't mention any other electircal problems like a blown fuse. Good luck :)
Backyardmechanic
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Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
OLDPOSSUMBOOKS.COM
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How would I check for a blown fuse? The dashboard is dead, but only when the alternator seems to not be working. The blower also does not work on the heater, when the truck is acting up, just curious if this is all related to the alternator problem or something else. Thanks!
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Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
BACKYARDMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
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Unless you want to remove every single fuse to visually look at to check, you will need a 12volt test lamp. Connect one end to a good ground and check each side of the fuse with the other. You should get a light on both sides of the fuse when testing. Keep in mind that some fuses only have power when the ignition key is in the on postion. I don't think you have a blown fuse. If it was then the dash and blown motor would not work unless the fuses where replaced. Once a fuse is blown it doesn't reset itself, it has to be replaced. The dash and heater not working is probably a symptom from the electrical problem not the cause
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Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 7:48 PM

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