Now she won't start!

[LD50]

Ok, so I went out for a drive this morning, no issues, ran good. Went out again this afternoon - starts fine. when leaving the post office it struggles to start (first time ever). Hmm, odd. I get home, listen to engine all the way back. Everything sounds normal and it is running great. Turned the engine off on my driveway then tried to start it again - no go, a small "waaa" noise with no clicking. I flipped on my lights and fog lights and they are operating normally, my light reminder dings. Checked battery quick, connections are tight and good.

 

Went wheeling on Saturday in some sandy muck which got all over in the engine bay. I made sure to spray down the alternator last night to get any sand out of it, maybe that's where my problem is? The symptoms don't seem to support that though.

[nige]

do you have a multi-meter or volt meter? there is a quick way to test your alternator and battery using that tool. It will cancel those two components out of the question

[GrimGreg]

Your connections at the starter end migh be loose or corroded. Or you could have a bad fusable link.

[sammyb33]

an even quicker way to check and see if your alty is dead without a volt meter, pull the battery positive off while the truck is running (if you jump start it) if it continues to run then your alternator is doing its job, if not, then i think its safe to call it dead.

[95shakinPF]

an even quicker way to check and see if your alty is dead without a volt meter, pull the battery positive off while the truck is running (if you jump start it) if it continues to run then your alternator is doing its job, if not, then i think its safe to call it dead.

DONT DO THAT!! IT WILL DAMAGE YOUR VOLTAGE REGULATOR!!

[Casey.T]

You Play you Pay!!!! hehe sorry

 

I have had this little challenge... worse case is you get to swap out Starters... If you can get it running, take it into Autozone ect and have them test the charging system... then your where you need to be to get a new starter....

 

Remember after u remove the 2 14mm bolts turn it so the solinoid is in the 12 oclock position before sliding it foward between the Motor Mount and the frame, then a little counter clockwise to get it the rest of the way out over the center link...

[LD50]

an even quicker way to check and see if your alty is dead without a volt meter, pull the battery positive off while the truck is running (if you jump start it) if it continues to run then your alternator is doing its job, if not, then i think its safe to call it dead.

 

 

I guess my alt is fried then. Pesky sand! Oh well, it's not going to stop me

[unccpathfinder]

QUOTE(sammyb33 @ Oct 29 2007, 03:40 PM) *

an even quicker way to check and see if your alty is dead without a volt meter, pull the battery positive off while the truck is running (if you jump start it) if it continues to run then your alternator is doing its job, if not, then i think its safe to call it dead.

 

DONT DO THAT!! IT WILL DAMAGE YOUR VOLTAGE REGULATOR!!

 

I have done this many times for quick checks and never fried anything...lost of folks say it gives you voltage/amp spikes which can reek havoc on the system but I personally havent experienced it and not saying that its right but I have seen about 4 of my mechanic buddies do a quick check that way...but I would remove the NEG cable so you dont get the pee shocked out of you if you accidentally ground yourself out...

 

sounds like its time to call up the mythbusters and see if they can fry some electrical systems by using this method to check the alty...

Edited October 30, 2007 by unccpathfinder

[88pathoffroad]

I've done it too, never had any problems. They really do say that, though. You're not s'posed to remove a battery cable when it's running.

[adamzan]

It says not to in the haynes manual