Hi guys, sorry to bother you (again)...
I swapped out the alternator and belt tensioner on my '92 G20 van (350 engine) - and still no joy.
I came to the conclusion that there is a short somewhere in the electrical system: I connected a fully charged (12.5 V) battery and measured the voltage over the poles. I get fluctuating values between 0 and 3 Volts. Disconnected the plus pole and measured again: steady 8.54 Volts.
Any thoughts? I don't have a clue about car wiring - I can wire model railroads but not my van...
Thanks, Erhard
1992 G20 van - Electrical wizzard needed...
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Re: 1992 G20 van - Electrical wizzard needed...
You mean the battery posts?
So, to clarify, your battery measures 12.5V outside of the vehicle, and then as soon as you hook up the cable terminals, you measure 3V on the battery posts? Meter is set to DC Volts, not AC?
disconnecting a terminal means there is no circuit. This should be exactly the same as measuring the battery outside of the vehicle. Sounds like a dead battery.
Have the battery analyzed with a proper load tester. Most battery dealers or auto part stores will do this as a courtesy.
Re: 1992 G20 van - Electrical wizzard needed...
Measured the battery over the posts? -> Yes
Meter is set to DC -> Yes. I get fluctuating values between 0 and 3 volts over the posts. When wiring a model railroad, this behavior indicates a short...
no circuit -> I know. Just wanted to verify if something is draining the battery which turned out true. The battery is brand new and can be charged without problem. I charge it slow at 2 Amps.
Meter is set to DC -> Yes. I get fluctuating values between 0 and 3 volts over the posts. When wiring a model railroad, this behavior indicates a short...
no circuit -> I know. Just wanted to verify if something is draining the battery which turned out true. The battery is brand new and can be charged without problem. I charge it slow at 2 Amps.
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- Sheriff
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I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 3243
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
- Location: The Pacific North Wet
Re: 1992 G20 van - Electrical wizzard needed...
You shouldn't assume the battery is good. Voltage is not a good guarantee, and "charging without problem" isn't either. Neither is being new. You could have been sold a bad battery. If you want to diagnose your problem properly, and eliminate something as a cause, you need to be thorough.
If you had a short , you would see some big sparks when you connect the battery and some components or wires would be getting very hot, including the battery.
How long had it been connected when you measured the 8.5V? A healthy battery doesn't just fully discharge without some signs. Try disconnecting the alternator since that's something recently worked on.
Make sure the battery posts are clean and the terminals are tight. If you still have trouble, try another meter.
If you had a short , you would see some big sparks when you connect the battery and some components or wires would be getting very hot, including the battery.
How long had it been connected when you measured the 8.5V? A healthy battery doesn't just fully discharge without some signs. Try disconnecting the alternator since that's something recently worked on.
Make sure the battery posts are clean and the terminals are tight. If you still have trouble, try another meter.