electrical problems?

[jon_public]

I recently purchased a used 91 ford escort 5 speed. I replaced the alternator and the battery, both of which are good. I have had them tested.

Car runs fine, except there is no charge from the alternator making it to the battery. Both components work. Any suggestions?



One other thing that might be a factor is I currently have the oxygen sensor disconnected.

[Jet-Lee]

plug it back in. Might not make a difference, but it will play with your computer without it. As far as the alternator goes, I don't know, couldn't help you. How did you test the alternator to know it's good?

[jon_public]

Originally Posted by Jet-Lee

plug it back in. Might not make a difference, but it will play with your computer without it. As far as the alternator goes, I don't know, couldn't help you. How did you test the alternator to know it's good?

I'll plug in the oxygen sensor, but I suspect that's not the problem.

I took the alternator in to the local parts store and had them test it. They said it was ok.

[sons93escort]

Do you have a volt meter? set to dc volts in tenths range, positve or rd to main alternaotr lead, black to a ground, should be 14 something, check on battery as well.

[ZX2000]

start the car and let it idle for a couple minutes. disconnect the negative battery terminal and if the car shuts off the alt. is bad. if not its the battery or a connection between. also check all of your batt. connections. the terminals themselves may be bad. you can buy a whole new cable for either positive or negative. probably should anyways.

[Jet-Lee]

[jon_public]

Originally Posted by ZX2000

start the car and let it idle for a couple minutes. disconnect the negative battery terminal and if the car shuts off the alt. is bad. if not its the battery or a connection between. also check all of your batt. connections. the terminals themselves may be bad. you can buy a whole new cable for either positive or negative. probably should anyways.

the engine shut off after i disconnected the negative terminal. the alternator tested fine. the battery tested fine. the terminals are clean.

i guess i have to start with the wiring now, any ideas on what to look for? should i be worried about anything else, like a computer or fuse box?

[sons93escort]

WEhy would anyone think a computer controoled car ccan run when battery is discoonected. Thats also a way to zap things and cause more problems.

[Jet-Lee]

Originally Posted by sons93escort

WEhy would anyone think a computer controoled car ccan run when battery is discoonected. Thats also a way to zap things and cause more problems.

When an alternator is running properly, it puts out approximately 14.7 volts. That more than the battery can hold. If your alternator is running properly, you don't need the battery. The only purpose of the battery is to start the car and/or run accessories without having to start it up.

[sons93escort]

But is the battery in the run circuit or needed to keep computer memory? Doesn't disconnecting the battery wipe out the memory?

[Jet-Lee]

Having no power to the computer for an extended period of time wipes out the memory. If the engine is running, the alternator would be supplying the power (the battery keeps it going with the car off)

[fordguy12]

im haveing problems with my 1994 ford escort that i just got. i put a brand new battery on it but nothing works, the lights the horn the radio. the car want even try to start. its like it dosent even have a battery on the car. i realy need some help with it so if there is any one that can help i thank u very much.

[J-Mech]

Hey, You need to look for a fusable link. Some alternator wires have them. Trace the alt wire and look for a black "tube" in the wire. OHM check the wire. I think that you will find it is broken. Or has a burned fusable link. Good luck!

[fordguy12]

hey j-mech do u think that it could be a computer chip in it thats been fried, cus my friend said that that might be the problem. cus i put a brand new battery on it and u know how wen u try to start a car with out a battery nuthing happends, well thats how its doing. nuthing wants to come on its like its not getting any power to the ignition swtich or any thing else. i realy need some damn help cus i know nuthing bout this stuff..bye

[J-Mech]

No. I really dont think so. You say it won't do anything now? Double check your battery connections. Sounds like now you lost connection at the battery. Back to the charging prob., check the other stuff i told you about. Good luck. Ill try to check in later!