89Wrangler
11-14-2003, 01:51 AM
Seems to be getting worse now...was ready to go home tonight and the Wrangler decided it wanted to die at stops...would crank over but not start unless I turned off the headlamps!
Got it back to work and hooked up the VAT40 Battery/Alt tester...battery checked out ok..above 10 volts on two 200amp draw test...also voltage was staying above 14 bolts at the battery when it would start to die when the headlamps were turned on....and it's not just the head lamps as you can get it to do this when turning on the radio and amp (amp pos is wired directly to the battery but the ground is to the floor board)...does not die when the elec fan kicks in (because it is wired (pos. and neg.) directly to the battery)...
There is a factory ground strap to the engine and firewall..but had to but a butt connector on it as it was broken intwo...Resistance in it?...will have to check that.
I also wired another ground from the battery to the engine valve cover stud....only thing I did not do was hook up a ground from the firewall to the battery...where's the stock one located?? Engine mount??
Also could have some resistance at the positive side..maybe fuseable links?...what about engine ground inside the vehicle and location?....
Anyone have this problem and figure it out....give me some ideas guys as the Wrangler is still at work as they let me drive home a company vehicle :)
I also check the Alt output under load which was 40 amps...which is what it is rated at...my 135 amp unit will be here tomorrow :) Also got a 2 guage upgrade charge (Welder) cable.
Oh...also bit of info...as I was saying it has gotten worse...when the elec fan would kick in it would also kill the engine when the head lamps were on...but this was because the fan ground was at the body and not connected directlly to the battery...hmmmm?
Thanks for any help guys!
Ken
Got it back to work and hooked up the VAT40 Battery/Alt tester...battery checked out ok..above 10 volts on two 200amp draw test...also voltage was staying above 14 bolts at the battery when it would start to die when the headlamps were turned on....and it's not just the head lamps as you can get it to do this when turning on the radio and amp (amp pos is wired directly to the battery but the ground is to the floor board)...does not die when the elec fan kicks in (because it is wired (pos. and neg.) directly to the battery)...
There is a factory ground strap to the engine and firewall..but had to but a butt connector on it as it was broken intwo...Resistance in it?...will have to check that.
I also wired another ground from the battery to the engine valve cover stud....only thing I did not do was hook up a ground from the firewall to the battery...where's the stock one located?? Engine mount??
Also could have some resistance at the positive side..maybe fuseable links?...what about engine ground inside the vehicle and location?....
Anyone have this problem and figure it out....give me some ideas guys as the Wrangler is still at work as they let me drive home a company vehicle :)
I also check the Alt output under load which was 40 amps...which is what it is rated at...my 135 amp unit will be here tomorrow :) Also got a 2 guage upgrade charge (Welder) cable.
Oh...also bit of info...as I was saying it has gotten worse...when the elec fan would kick in it would also kill the engine when the head lamps were on...but this was because the fan ground was at the body and not connected directlly to the battery...hmmmm?
Thanks for any help guys!
Ken