Project 4x4 Commuter Mazda

[kris97ranger]

its easy enough to test an alternator start the truck and put a voltmeter on the terminals should charge at like 12-14 volts.

my bets starter my diesel just went through this it turned over still just very slow

 

[legoms013]

its easy enough to test an alternator start the truck and put a voltmeter on the terminals should charge at like 12-14 volts.

my bets starter my diesel just went through this it turned over still just very slow

Yeah I am hoping it is an easy fix, starter or alternator being an easy fix. Hard fix would be fuel pump, fuel pump check valve or some kind of injector problem.

When I get home (that's if I get home) I'll throw a meter on it, and see whats up. IIRC last time I had a meter on there it was at about 13v at idle. If it is indeed the alternator I'll go get one tonight (probably a 130amp Explorer alt).

 

[88_Eddie]

perhaps those new lights you put on it have strained the current ALT?

 

[legoms013]

perhaps those new lights you put on it have strained the current ALT?

Doubtful he draw less than what a single headlight draws. Alternator probably is probably on its last leg considering it is over 235000 miles old.

 

[4.0B2]

not the same as autozone, they are similar tho.. didn't know you didn't have them.
autozone has the little cheap load tester things. most advance auto's have an actual little computer that hooks to it and will actually print out your stats, your voltage, what kind of loads you have pulling from your battery.. it will test during startup, at an idle, and at 2500 rpms... i wouldn't consider that machine a POS Eddie, its always been right for me...

now this thing
http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-automotive-battery-analyzer-66892.html
is similar to what my autozone has.. and its been hit and miss for me

 

[88_Eddie]

now this thing
http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-automotive-battery-analyzer-66892.html
is similar to what my autozone has.. and its been hit and miss for me

yes, we had a little tool that looked kinda like that when i worked at autozone, not quite as fancy, but did the same thing. it could test the battery, alt and starter while everything was still in the car or truck. i never trusted it though. the machine in the store always worked so much better IMO.

 

[4.0B2]

yes, we had a little tool that looked kinda like that when i worked at autozone, not quite as fancy, but did the same thing. it could test the battery, alt and starter while everything was still in the car or truck. i never trusted it though. the machine in the store always worked so much better IMO.

ok, understood. i agree about that one but the local advance auto's around me have a little laptop looking thing that prints out a reciept looking thing w/ ALL the specs and results of the test. its awesome! i want one!

 

[legoms013]

Barely started on my way home. Runs fine though as it always have.

Got home and it reads 14.5v....

So its not the alternator. Must be the starter? Started it up and shut it off a few times and its getting weaker and weaker...

 

[88_Eddie]

i would say starter.

if the alternator was dead, it wouldnt be charging the battery, after a few starts, the battery would be dead.

 

[legoms013]

It better be, I'm about to go buy one and install it.

 

[88_Eddie]

i'd take the old one off and have them test it in the store just to be sure, before i spent money on a new one

 

[legoms013]

i'd take the old one off and have them test it in the store just to be sure, before i spent money on a new one

Yeah absolutely.

 

[4.0B2]

and you can get just the solenoid for it... i did.
it was cheaper!

 

[Bennybooster]

and you can get just the solenoid for it... i did.
it was cheaper!

I talked to a guy I have been buying vehicle electronics from for years about just replacing the solenoid in my starter. He said every time the solenoid is bad the starter is bad or is going to go bad. Just replace the whole thing, they are not expensive and it is cheap insurance.

Also your alternator is borderline over-chargeing, anything over 14.5 or 14.6 is considered over charging and is bad for your battery.

 

[4.0B2]

I talked to a guy I have been buying vehicle electronics from for years about just replacing the solenoid in my starter. He said every time the solenoid is bad the starter is bad or is going to go bad. Just replace the whole thing, they are not expensive and it is cheap insurance.

Also your alternator is borderline over-chargeing, anything over 14.5 or 14.6 is considered over charging and is bad for your battery.

half price and lasted 3 years thus far... i'm okay with it.

hey legoms, how hard is it to tell what height springs will be with certain weights on it? is that something you can explain on here or PM me? or is it to complex to explain it.. several local people have asked about it before and i don't guess we have anyone that knows the math.