cs

I have a non-turbo, '90 T-Bird with a mere 76k miles, that has an
electrical problem: the battery keeps draining. If it is charged
while hooked up, the alternator actually gets warm, and the voltage
keeps dropping. I have used it for a couple short trips like this,
i.e., charging it while disconnected, then short drives where I leave
the engine running. I was thinking it was the alternator, as it seems
to be a bit noisier than normal.

However yesterday, even with a fully charged battery, plus a second
fully charged battery attached with jumpers, will not turn the engine
over (just get some anemic clicks). Also, a half-hour later, even the
dome lights won't come on.

Any clues as to what the problem might be? This has been an 'all of a
sudden' problem. Again, I was thinking alternator, but now I'm
thinking something else, maybe starter, that is mega-pulling current.

I read some post on here about the seat switches causing a problem
like this, but I've wiggled all those switches without a change.

lugnut

On Wed, 07 Sep 2005 01:14:33 -0400, cs <cobs@fus.net> wrote:

>I have a non-turbo, '90 T-Bird with a mere 76k miles, that has an
>electrical problem: the battery keeps draining. If it is charged
>while hooked up, the alternator actually gets warm, and the voltage
>keeps dropping. I have used it for a couple short trips like this,
>i.e., charging it while disconnected, then short drives where I leave
>the engine running. I was thinking it was the alternator, as it seems
>to be a bit noisier than normal.
>
>However yesterday, even with a fully charged battery, plus a second
>fully charged battery attached with jumpers, will not turn the engine
>over (just get some anemic clicks). Also, a half-hour later, even the
>dome lights won't come on.
>
>Any clues as to what the problem might be? This has been an 'all of a
>sudden' problem. Again, I was thinking alternator, but now I'm
>thinking something else, maybe starter, that is mega-pulling current.
>
>I read some post on here about the seat switches causing a problem
>like this, but I've wiggled all those switches without a change.


If the alternator is getting warm w/o the engine running,
you likely have a bad alternator allowing feedback. This is
not an uncommon failure.

Backyard Mechanic

lugnut <lugnut@bellsouth.net> wrote in
news:vjmth1pbgbkgtt954olk7kdc3b6gk6ic5o@4ax.com:

> On Wed, 07 Sep 2005 01:14:33 -0400, cs <cobs@fus.net> wrote:
>
but I've wiggled all those switches without a change.
>
>
> If the alternator is getting warm w/o the engine running,
> you likely have a bad alternator allowing feedback. This is
> not an uncommon failure.
>

ditto.

get a rebuilt alternator from NAPA or other store that supplies repair
shops.

BTW, there are no 'turbo' 90 TBirds (from factory)... assume you mean non-
supercharged.

cs

Thanks for the replies. You guys were right, thus far, no problems,
with just changing the alternator (which I got from a salvage yard for
$35 :).


On Wed, 07 Sep 2005 14:35:17 GMT, Backyard Mechanic
<pettyfog@yaywho.com> wrote:

>lugnut <lugnut@bellsouth.net> wrote in
>news:vjmth1pbgbkgtt954olk7kdc3b6gk6ic5o@4ax.com:
>
>> On Wed, 07 Sep 2005 01:14:33 -0400, cs <cobs@fus.net> wrote:
>>
>but I've wiggled all those switches without a change.
>>
>>
>> If the alternator is getting warm w/o the engine running,
>> you likely have a bad alternator allowing feedback. This is
>> not an uncommon failure.
>>
>
>ditto.
>
>get a rebuilt alternator from NAPA or other store that supplies repair
>shops.
>
>BTW, there are no 'turbo' 90 TBirds (from factory)... assume you mean non-
>supercharged.

Backyard Mechanic

Okay!

Now you know that and how to get the belt on and off, go buy a set of
brushes for that alt from NAPA or such parts store, dont even bother with
autozone.

And replace the brushes... voila! Will prolly last as long as you have the
car.

Google this Group for my alt refurb tip Easy job

cs <cobs@fus.net> wrote in
news:iv02i19goi4sg8dlklt5c47abamniq8o1s@4ax.com:

> Thanks for the replies. You guys were right, thus far, no problems,
> with just changing the alternator (which I got from a salvage yard for
> $35 :).
>