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Ground causing no charge?

F

fordcupcar

CEG'er
Joined
Apr 21, 2007
Messages
132
Location
Wisconsin
Need some quick input before I go home and swap my entire alternator. Just got done with engine swap on my 98 SVT and since the swap my batt light has been illuminated. It's not charging, I know that for sure, but what are some things that would cause this besides bad alternator? Missing grounds, blown mega fuse, etc? I don't know why the alt would be bad since it only had 20k miles on it. The car I got it from was in an accident, and it was sitting for 6-7 years. I'm thinking maybe the corrosion got to it? Any quick tips appreciated, otherwise in an hour I'll be pulling an alternator.
 
has the alternator you are putting on been tested ? If you know for sure it works and you swap it on..... then if you still get no charge you've proved it's not the alternator. 6-7 years is a long time in the long grass for anything... maybe it should have been checked first.. 20/20 eh ...G.
 
I believe it was garage stored the entire time. The alternator I'm putting in is from my old engine and was functioning fine. I read something in another thread about removing the tie-rod to make things easier. The How-to link is broken, but what's the easiest way to go about removing it? I already plan to use quite a few extensions. I'm hoping to keep this under 4 hours of work.
 
fordcupcar said:
Need some quick input before I go home and swap my entire alternator. Just got done with engine swap on my 98 SVT and since the swap my batt light has been illuminated. It's not charging, I know that for sure, but what are some things that would cause this besides bad alternator? Missing grounds, blown mega fuse, etc? I don't know why the alt would be bad since it only had 20k miles on it. The car I got it from was in an accident, and it was sitting for 6-7 years. I'm thinking maybe the corrosion got to it? Any quick tips appreciated, otherwise in an hour I'll be pulling an alternator.
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Dude I have the exact same problem! I'm still trying to figure it out myself. I don't understand why it would come on after the swap. I thought I was missing a ground myself but I don't think so. I even put a new Alternator in it before I dropped the motor just to make sure I wasn't gonna have a problem down the road. I'll let you know if I fix mine
 
fordcupcar said:
I believe it was garage stored the entire time. The alternator I'm putting in is from my old engine and was functioning fine. I read something in another thread about removing the tie-rod to make things easier. The How-to link is broken, but what's the easiest way to go about removing it? I already plan to use quite a few extensions. I'm hoping to keep this under 4 hours of work.
Click to expand...

I disconnected the end link and the rear roll resistor. that will cause the engine to sag just a bit to pull the alterntor out the side. with a little rotating and twisting it will come out.
right now my next step is I'm gonna do the alternator wiring fix. I hope that works i'll let you know.
 
alternator wiring fix will not turn off the battery light. it will only stop dimming at idle.

check all of the wiring and the mega fuse, and fuses. was the alternator plugged in correcty?
 
BrApple said:
alternator wiring fix will not turn off the battery light. it will only stop dimming at idle.

check all of the wiring and the mega fuse, and fuses. was the alternator plugged in correcty?
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well then that takes care of that idea. cause I don't have any blown fuses the mega fuse is fine. the fog light fuse is fine the wring looks decent. had a brand new autolite, but returned it and got a remanufactured motorcraft. I really don't understand it then. I'm done. its been 6 months and the car is still not on the road. the only thing i didn't do was install that small L-shaped bracket on the back of the alterntor. alternator is plugged in correctly. couldn't mess that one up. well then I'll skip the fix and put the wheels on and possibly get rid of the car.
Fordcupcar glad yours was a simple solution thats great!
 
well try the wiring fix if you want. however it isn't a fix to make an alternator start charging when it isn't.
 
BrApple said:
well try the wiring fix if you want. however it isn't a fix to make an alternator start charging when it isn't.
Click to expand...

yea i agree with you. there is something else going on here, I don't understand all I did was a swap. I've tested the alternator and it is good as well as the battery.
 
well I did the fix and viola! the bat. light is off! but i didn't have my multimeter on me to verify voltage. if this is it then I'll finally be able to enjoy my 3L.
 
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