At The End of My Rope ... Almost

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At The End of My Rope ... Almost

April 05, 2013, 02:56:07 PM

Afternoon Gang !!

I need some Super-Expert Advice..and know of no-better source than right here.

Here's the situation:
1986 - Cougar XR7 Turbo - 5 spd

Start the engine...it runs (fairly well) for a few minutes...
..then idles down and dies
Changed Alternator, Ignition Control Module and Starter Solenoid.

I just tried it after replacing the Alternator and connected my Fluke DVM across the battery.
It shows 11.50Vdc at start-up...
...
But as time passes... that Voltage begins to drop down to 8 Volts, or so, and then the engine dies

Does this point to a bad/poor Voltage Regulator ??
... or Something else ? ??

I've been diggin' on this Cat for the last 4 days
..and just not positive about what to attack next. ..

Any Advice will be GREATLY Appreciated ! !! !

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #1 – April 05, 2013, 03:38:52 PM

Voltage should rise to approx 14v when the engine is started and never fall below 13.5v... No doubt your alt isn't charging, either it's defective or you have other issues with wiring or possibly regulator if it's external type(I believe only the 5.0 had a internal regulator alt in '86)......

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #2 – April 05, 2013, 04:16:55 PM

Aren't there fusible links between the alternator and the battery? Can you check the voltage at the alternator when the car is running? If you have voltage at the alternator and not at the battery something is keeping it from charging the battery when it is running. If you have little, none, or dropping voltage at the alternator I would suspect the regulator like TurboCoupe50 is saying.

Darren

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #3 – April 05, 2013, 04:47:48 PM

Thanks for the input !!

But... I've just changed the Voltage Regulator
(yes..this one is mounted just above the Driver's Side... Front Tire)

... no joy...

Upon cranking... the voltage at the Battery was only 11.7

... after running less-than 10 minutes that had fallen to below 9Vdc and I shut the motor down.

BTW: There is a NEW Battery in the mix, too !

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #4 – April 05, 2013, 05:13:15 PM

I would bet on a wiring issue then. Check the voltage at the alternator and if its good there then I would suspect the fusible links between the alt and battery or starter solenoid (I think that is where the wires from the alt actually go). From there you may need to check out the grounding on the car. This would be the ground from the battery to frame, frame to K-member, and K-member to engine block.

Darren

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #5 – April 05, 2013, 05:22:33 PM

A Wiring Harness Headache... was an idea I was already bouncing around...
Thanks for the Pointed-Locations !!
That Really Helps ! !!

..really appreciate it ! !! !

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #6 – April 05, 2013, 05:59:35 PM

Does the battery die while the car is not running? Like if you charge it, and put it in the car (but don't start it), does it drain off quickly too?

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #7 – April 05, 2013, 07:15:02 PM

With ignition off, check for battery voltage on the Alt B+ terminal. The large black/orange wire. I believe this terminal has a nut on it on the 1G Alt.
No voltage means the fuse link is blown. Usually caused by hooking jumper cables up backwards.

The regulator terminals are labled A,F,S and I
With the ignition in RUN (don't crank), check for battery voltage on the light green/red wire on terminal S
No voltage means an ignition switch problem.

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #8 – April 05, 2013, 07:19:27 PM

There is a fuse link between the alt output and battery... One end will be connected to a black/orange wire the other to yellow, location should be in the vicinity of LH fender apr0n and solenoid...

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #9 – April 05, 2013, 07:21:07 PM

What i would do is convert the system to an internal regulator alt like a 3G. Other than that as posted above check the battery feed to the alt. If none is there the fuse link is blown. Or full field the alt to see if the alt is putting out. Clearly you are not charging correctly. A conversion at this point is your best option in my view. Easy to do and quite reliable.

Full field the alternator by jumping the battery lead to the F terminal ( O/LB ) and monitor the voltage across the battery. Rev the engine and if the alt is good the voltage will climb. Dont let it climb higher than 15V. If the voltage does not climb the ALT is shot. If the voltage climbs the regulator is the ISSUE, Check this and post back!!!

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #10 – April 05, 2013, 07:28:48 PM

Quote from: CoogarXR;412682

Does the battery die while the car is not running? Like if you charge it, and put it in the car (but don't start it), does it drain off quickly too?

Honestly ... it keeps a charge
But, I can see that coming up as a question!

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #11 – April 05, 2013, 07:29:42 PM

Quote from: softtouch;412685

With ignition off, check for battery voltage on the Alt B+ terminal. The large black/orange wire. I believe this terminal has a nut on it on the 1G Alt.
No voltage means the fuse link is blown. Usually caused by hooking jumper cables up backwards.

The regulator terminals are labled A,F,S and I
With the ignition in RUN (don't crank), check for battery voltage on the light green/red wire on terminal S
No voltage means an ignition switch problem.

Thanks !!

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #12 – April 05, 2013, 07:30:11 PM

Thanks !!

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #13 – April 05, 2013, 07:32:17 PM

Quote from: TOM Renzo;412688

"... convert the system to an internal regulator alt like a 3G...."

Sorry... that one's above my Pay-grade
Can you point me to Web-Site that might show some info ??

THANKS !!

At The End of My Rope ... Almost

Reply #14 – April 05, 2013, 07:45:35 PM

There is a post on this on this web site. If it is to difficult then you can just follow my recommendations for FULL FIELDING your unit. Do this and post back. If you feel you cant do this then professional help might be your best bet,