wes: most likely the battery is shot. assuming that the replacement alternator is working ok (say 13.25 - 14.5 V across the battery terminals when running), and has had time to charge up the batery, the battery is probably at fault. sometimes batteries fail becasue they develop too much internal resistance, yet may pass a hydrometer test, and also show the standard 12.25 V across the terminals (with no load). given the symptoms, and assuming the alternator is working ok and has had time to charge the battery, if she fires up easily with a jump, then the battery is almost certainly at fault. dan On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 15:43:05 -0600, Wesley Alden Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU> wrote: >Hi guys, >I'm having frustrating electrical (I think) problems. > >First, my van ('84 manual) wouldn't start. Headlights would come on (battery okay) and they would dim when I turned the ignition (so power was getting to the starter), but it wouldn't turn. I heard a click when I would turn the key, and again when I would release it. > >I ordered a rebuilt starter, and finally got around to installing it today. It started twice in a row, so I thought it was okay, but then the third time it didn't, and I realized I was back where I started. It starts maybe one out of 5 times, and when it starts, it starts right away. > >The battery is right at 12.0 volts with the car off. With the key turned all the way (but when it fails to start) it drops to 11.4. If it starts, it sits at 11.6. So now I figure maybe my alternator is bad. I had an extra alternator, so I put it in, but absolutely nothing has changed, and so now I'm stumped. > >Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! > >-Wes |
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