- Joined
- Dec 1, 2007
- Messages
- 689
- Reaction score
- 6
- Points
- 18
- Location
- Lake Almanor, Ca.
- Vehicle Year
- 1988/2000
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.9/4.0
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 9" on the 2000, 6" on the '88
- Tire Size
- 265/75/16, 31x10.50x15
- My credo
- The memories of a man in his old age are the deeds of a man in his prime
My 2000 4.0 4x automatic, developed an issue a few days ago that has continued to perplex me.
I was driving home when the 'check gauge' light comes on. Temp gauge is high, not HOT. It goes down, light goes out, a couple of repeats of this I stop, check, and it definitely isn't HOT, coolant is full. I check the gauges a little closer and realize the charge gauge is reading low, about 25% instead of the normal 50%. After shutting it off when I get home, I won't crank, just 'clunk', all the lights go out until the key is released, all the other illumination, chimes etc are normal otherwise. It does crank and start with a jump, it gets to where I had to bump it w/900 amp booster to crank. Long story-short, battery replaced on warranty, on 2nd replacement alternator, new starter. Same situation, will crank with a boost, alt showed charge for awhile, then I got 2 clunks out of the starter. I have this result with a full charged battery as well.
Beyond parts here is what I have done
I get 13v at the battery, starter, alternator. Have checked for system shorts using the test light/pull fuse method and come up with nothing.
I've swapped relays and cleaned every ground I can find, even changed the single wire alt connection. I have come short of running another ground and hot to the starter.
So, what simple thing am I missing? I've, unfortunately, thrown about as many parts in there as I can.
Thanks
Rich
I was driving home when the 'check gauge' light comes on. Temp gauge is high, not HOT. It goes down, light goes out, a couple of repeats of this I stop, check, and it definitely isn't HOT, coolant is full. I check the gauges a little closer and realize the charge gauge is reading low, about 25% instead of the normal 50%. After shutting it off when I get home, I won't crank, just 'clunk', all the lights go out until the key is released, all the other illumination, chimes etc are normal otherwise. It does crank and start with a jump, it gets to where I had to bump it w/900 amp booster to crank. Long story-short, battery replaced on warranty, on 2nd replacement alternator, new starter. Same situation, will crank with a boost, alt showed charge for awhile, then I got 2 clunks out of the starter. I have this result with a full charged battery as well.
Beyond parts here is what I have done
I get 13v at the battery, starter, alternator. Have checked for system shorts using the test light/pull fuse method and come up with nothing.
I've swapped relays and cleaned every ground I can find, even changed the single wire alt connection. I have come short of running another ground and hot to the starter.
So, what simple thing am I missing? I've, unfortunately, thrown about as many parts in there as I can.
Thanks
Rich