Hard turning even after replacing power steering pump

[TimV]

When the alternator was changed, did you have to reuse the voltage regulator from the old one? Its the small box attached to the back that the harness plugs into. If you had to reuse it, it might have gone bad if it is not charging a known good battery. A normal alternator puts out somewhere around 13.4 volts if I remember correctly.

 

[tjs4x4]

We took off the old alternator, and just switched out for a new remanufactured one. Hubby took that one in today, and had them test it TWICE. They said it was good.

 

[ldbill39]

There probably won't be a short, it sounds as though you have open ground in the ignition circuit, a sticking relay, or a flaky voltage regulator. Have you taken apart your wiring harnesses and checked the wires yet? If not, I would start by checking the charging harness from the alt, then the harness that the ignition wires are in. Next thing you need to do is, dump the haynes, go on ebay and find the factory manuals. Haynes manuals are totally generic, the factory manuals (albiet it more expensive), will allow you to track any problem to it's source a lot easier. I have them for all my cars, and won't part with them, they are the best source for trouble shooting. Good Luck! Lee

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Did you check out the tech library it can get involved so print out the charging system troubleshooting/diagnostics it will explain where to begin. I am pretty sure your system is the same as the internal regulator the first thing is to look for breaks in wires and shorts. Disconnect the battery terminals and then you test for continuity between the pos and the negative battery wires then start unplugging fuses till you get no resistance you might need to go wire to wire if that dont work so you will need a schematic. It is probably somthing simple so get a light and look over every inch of the wires look close at the connectors make sure the wires are pushed all the way in and clean especially the alternator connector if the alternator tests good and you have a good battery you should get 2.5v over batt voltage at 1500 rpm and should not drop below .5v above batt voltage with the lights on high beam and the heater/AC on high. you say you put a guage cluster in does it have the amp guage and does it show discharge when you turn on the lights engine off. Also just thinking about it did the old guage set have a amp guage or a light or visa versa. Just take your time electrical issues can make even a grown man cry especially if you get a wire fire in the loop we are talking major surgery. It sounds like a break to me or a bad connector or you would have a blown fuse also check you fusible links. my schematics only go up to 1990 but everything runs off the power distribution box under the hood pull all the fuses check for a short as you add fuses with the battery terminals disconnected and physically test each fuse sometimes they look good but are not. I could go on forever so GL Kim

 

[tjs4x4]

Yeah, I just don't have time to go thru every single connector. I'm exhausted, frustrated and I am about ready to give up. I might just find a mobile mechanic and have them figure it out. Its not turning over at all now, just the loud clicking noise I'm hearing sounds like its coming from the starter relay. How many wires are supposed to be hooked up to the starter relay?

 

[tjs4x4]

I replaced the speedo and tach only. Everything else is the same, oil pressure, temp, battery, and fuel. The battery gauge will go down, when the battery is exhausted...

 

[kimcrwbr1]

tech library, tech library, tech library, there is a reason it is there read the charging trouble shooting and stop guessing print it out study it know it then break out the multimeter. You should have 12.5v at least charged and 2.5v over that at 1500 rpm is your goal

 

[adsm08]

That can't be the problem tho! We tried running the engine with my husband's new battery, and the voltage was running low at 12.4 or something close to that.....its gotta be a short. I just don't know where...

We are telling you where to look.

I'm so frustrated it makes me wanna cry, or roll the explorer off the face of a cliff.

Just step back and calm down a bit.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If you never have thoughts of driving it off a cliff or taking a axe to it then you are not doing it right. I see no need in paying a mechanic and depriving myself the frustration of figuring it out when chances are you will need to figure it out anyway only you will have alot less money to do it. Take your time and when you do get it right you can use that information down the road.

 

[adsm08]

If you never have thoughts of driving it off a cliff or taking a axe to it then you are not doing it right. I see no need in paying a mechanic and depriving myself the frustration of figuring it out when chances are you will need to figure it out anyway only you will have alot less money to do it. Take your time and when you do get it right you can use that information down the road.

Plus it's so much more satisfying when YOU finally figure it out and fix it. I've been on both ends of that one, and frankly I prefer the excited feeling I get when it finally fires up and runs right than the depressed one I get when I write that big check to the auto shop.

 

[tjs4x4]

I read thru the tech library troubleshooting....not much help. I got a couple local guys coming to look at it today. I put out an ad on craigslist for help lol.

 

[tjs4x4]

Well, turns out the wiring harness on the left side of the instrument cluster was in backwards, musta put that in backwards when I replaced the speedo and tach. Boy, I sure felt stupid when we figured it out!

A very nice retired mechanic who lives in the same town as me called me up and came over and spent an hour and a half troubleshooting this issue. He didn't want any money for what he figured out. Totally amazIng. What a godsend!!

Now, I just need my steering issue fixed and ill b good to go for awhile lol.

And get the tach and speedo working like they're supposed to b

 

[adsm08]

^That could cause problems I bet.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

So is that the reason it was not charging correct sometimes you have to back all the way up and retrace your steps what did he say about your steering issue sounds to me like the guy you want to work on your truck if he still twists a wrench.

 

[tjs4x4]

I didn't ask him about the steering. I'm just gonna take it in if I can't find the source of the sticking.