Alternator and Charging Problems

SHARPsasha · May 25, 2017

Hey All First Post here.

Having a really difficult time with getting my battery to hold a charge. Replaced my Regulator, Starter Solenoid, Alternator and Battery recently.. going to check my wiring for IASF after I make this post... Anyways Alternator has two wires that were connected to it before and there wasn't a ground cable onto the block going from the alternator..... There is a smaller orange wire that went to one of the posts and a orange with light blue stripe on the other post?????? I feel like whoever had this car before me did NOT wire this car correctly... Any feedback is appreciated and I can provide pictures if you'd like.

Thanks guys. Cheers

adsm08 · May 25, 2017

There isn't a ground cable for the alternator, it grounds through it's case touching the bracket, which touches the block.

Orange and black should be a large wire that goes back to the battery/rest of the system.

SHARPsasha · May 25, 2017

Here's the thinner orange wire in question that hooked up to the alternator

ericbphoto · May 25, 2017

The little wire provides voltage to the field windings. (through the regulator)

The alternator must have power in order to make power. When the field windings are energized, they create a magnetic field which, as it rotates, induces a voltage in the stator windings. I know it's magic. But that's how it works. The regulator controls how strong the magnetic field in the field windings is, thereby controlling the voltage output of the alternator.

RonD · May 25, 2017

Welcome to TRS

Wiring diagram here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/EDiagrams/files/diagram_charging_1983to1985_1.JPG

You have an external voltage regulator on a 1984

Good testing procedures here for those systems: http://www.fordification.com/tech/charging.htm

SHARPsasha · May 26, 2017

Seems to be working now..... however my engine keeps stalling and dying now so i think it might be a bad fuel pump relay or fouled spark plugs..... but I'm leaning more towards it being a bad fuel pump. I'll keep you guys posted!

RonD · May 26, 2017

1984 Bronco II will have 2.8l V6 with carburetor and mechanical fuel pump so no fuel pump relay

Use a volt meter on the battery while engine is running at idle should show 13.5 volts at least
If charging system is not working well then voltage will drop too low at idle and spark will get too weak, then engine will stall

SHARPsasha · May 26, 2017

RonD said:
1984 Bronco II will have 2.8l V6 with carburetor and mechanical fuel pump so no fuel pump relay

Use a volt meter on the battery while engine is running at idle should show 13.5 volts at least
If charging system is not working well then voltage will drop too low at idle and spark will get too weak, then engine will stall

Interesting.... So it could be the wiring still? I bought a new sending unit and a mech fuel pump.... I'm sorta lost right now.... So no fuel pump relay huh?

RonD · May 26, 2017

No, fuel pump relay was for electric fuel pumps, which you don't have

Carburetors have float bowls which store gasoline for starting, once engine starts the mechanical fuel pump keeps the Float Bowl topped up.

The gasoline in the tank is basically siphoned up and out of the tank to the mechanical fuel pump on the lower part of the engine.
If you run the tank dry, run out of gas, it can often take some effort to get the siphon flowing again, because float bowl is dry, out of gas, so engine can't start, and cranking speed of starter motor often doesn't generate enough pressure to pull the gas in the tank up and over the top to start the siphon again

SHARPsasha · May 26, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKaNLba4zXU

RonD · May 26, 2017

Get a sprayer bottle
Put gasoline in it

Have someone start the COLD engine
Spray gasoline into the carb choke plate opening and see if you can keep engine running
If so then yes, I would replace mechanical fuel pump.

If engine still dies then Spark is the problem

Can't tell from video but you were turning key on and off, why?

Did someone add an electric fuel pump?
It wasn't stock but people did add electric fuel pumps to the 2.8l carbed engines, by passing mechanical pump
And then yes there would be(should be) a fuel pump relay that would turn on the electric fuel pump when key was turned on
And you would HEAR it run with key on

SHARPsasha · May 26, 2017

no there is a mechanical fuel pump.

I was just trying to start the engine when i was turning it on and off... wasnt working until i gave it some gas.

RonD · May 26, 2017

A cold engine needs to run Rich until it warms up
The Choke Plate does this, it should close most of the way for cold engine start up
Pushing gas pedal down 1 time should set Choke plate closed, it also squirts extra gas into engine for cold start

Cold engine won't stay running unless choke plate is closed most of the way
Choke plate restricts air flow into the carb, this increases vacuum in carb so extra gasoline is sucked out of the Jets to get the Richer mix needed by the cold engine
As engine warms up choke plate slowly opens to lean out the mix, depending on outside temp this could take 5 to 10minutes until choke is full open

Alternator and Charging Problems

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