anyone know a forum like this but deals w/ vehicle mechanical/electrical issues? thanks
Replies (7)
Swez on 08/9/2003 17:23:51
Good question...any motor heads in this clan?
Swez
Tray on 08/11/2003 09:28:57
Well, I found one back when I had my 92 Grand Marquis, but don't remember the name off the top of my head. What's the issue you're trying to get figured out? I'm decent at some of that stuff, but have 2 very good resources I can bounce ?s off. My bro-in-law builds old pontiacs, and has been working on/in/around cars for 20+ years. A good friend of mine works in a high performance customization shop, but freelances as a general mechanic as well.
I'll look around and see if I can find it, or one like it.
greg311 on 08/13/2003 11:03:35
the vehicle is an 89 mercury tracer, weird problem. the battery was installed wrong in the vehicle, the + cable on the - post and it blew the main fuse in the fuse box. i replaced the fuse . when the car is cold it starts right up no problem but after the car is driven and gets warm, if i shut if off and try to restart it it struggles, it sounds like the battery is dead! if allowed to cool it starts right up no problem.
Tray on 08/13/2003 13:32:50
By "it sounds like the battery is dead!" what do you mean?
Does it click, as if the starter is not engaging? Or is the lack of sound what you are referring to?
A few ideas:
Check for corrosion around battery, alternator, and starter connections. The battery ones can be cleaned using a cup of baking soda mixed with water, and poured over the terminals.
Others may need tightened, replaced, or other, depending on how they look.
Also- check the connection from the alternator to the ground.
My thoughts - Since it works when temps are colder, I would suspect a bad connection. As metal heats up, it tends to expand. If a terminal, or other connector was to expand, it may break a circuit, where if it cools, it may contract just enough to close the circuit again.
What is the description for the fuse which blew?
greg311 on 08/13/2003 18:19:46
it was a large fuse, black with a clear top with 60 on it. it was located in a black fuse box next to the battery, I have replaced all fuses in that box but same problem. By the sound I mean when the car is warm and I try to start it, it sounds like I have left my lights on for a couple of hours and there is hardly any juice left, then it kicks in and starts. I had this same exact problem in my previous vehicle which was a 86 for bronco II, its not the battery I bought a brand new one for the mercury and same thing, I am going to replace the wiring harness from the ALT to the batt and maybe replace the ALT, good idea?
Swez on 08/13/2003 19:37:02
Have your alternator looked at and tested. The battery installed wrong may have damaged the diodes or regulator. It may be working at a very deminished capacity or dead.
The battery will start the car, and if the ALT fails, usually get a dummy light or low voltage on the voltage gage. As the car runs for a bit, it depleats the battery enough to make the car run poorly or stop altogether.
After a period of rest, the battery will regain some charge... enough to start the car again and the whole cycle repeats.
HINT: If engine RMP drops notable with lights on, the Alt may be trying to restore a charge to battery. If the Alt is weak or dead, you can start the car, remove the NEG battery cable and see what happens.
If the car still runs, ALT is working to some degree. If the car shuts off immediately, ALT problems are likely or the power wires and ground are not doing the job. (corrosion, rust etc.)
Finally, if you have a DC volt meter, check the battery voltage with car off first. It should read very close to 12.0 volts. Now, start the engine and read it again. The new voltage reading at the battery should be above 13.4 volts. If less than 12.5 volts, not charging properly.... time for a new ALT. (Rebuilts are cheaper and life time warrantee too)
Swez
compvr15s on 08/15/2003 21:46:44
its probably your starter, if it dont start when its warm but when its fine, get under the car with a screw driver and touch the terminals together, then try to restart it, thats what i had to do for a few days in the grand prix till i got a new one, have it tested first because if its not the starter then it may cause some damage to it, but if its already damaged then the screw driver will not hurt it any more.started fine after cooling off but once it got warm wouldnt start for the life of me, id check into your starter
Replies (7)
Swez on 08/9/2003 17:23:51
Good question...any motor heads in this clan?
Swez
Tray on 08/11/2003 09:28:57
Well, I found one back when I had my 92 Grand Marquis, but don't remember the name off the top of my head. What's the issue you're trying to get figured out? I'm decent at some of that stuff, but have 2 very good resources I can bounce ?s off. My bro-in-law builds old pontiacs, and has been working on/in/around cars for 20+ years. A good friend of mine works in a high performance customization shop, but freelances as a general mechanic as well.
I'll look around and see if I can find it, or one like it.
greg311 on 08/13/2003 11:03:35
the vehicle is an 89 mercury tracer, weird problem. the battery was installed wrong in the vehicle, the + cable on the - post and it blew the main fuse in the fuse box. i replaced the fuse . when the car is cold it starts right up no problem but after the car is driven and gets warm, if i shut if off and try to restart it it struggles, it sounds like the battery is dead! if allowed to cool it starts right up no problem.
Tray on 08/13/2003 13:32:50
By "it sounds like the battery is dead!" what do you mean?
Does it click, as if the starter is not engaging? Or is the lack of sound what you are referring to?
A few ideas:
Check for corrosion around battery, alternator, and starter connections. The battery ones can be cleaned using a cup of baking soda mixed with water, and poured over the terminals.
Others may need tightened, replaced, or other, depending on how they look.
Also- check the connection from the alternator to the ground.
My thoughts - Since it works when temps are colder, I would suspect a bad connection. As metal heats up, it tends to expand. If a terminal, or other connector was to expand, it may break a circuit, where if it cools, it may contract just enough to close the circuit again.
What is the description for the fuse which blew?
greg311 on 08/13/2003 18:19:46
it was a large fuse, black with a clear top with 60 on it. it was located in a black fuse box next to the battery, I have replaced all fuses in that box but same problem. By the sound I mean when the car is warm and I try to start it, it sounds like I have left my lights on for a couple of hours and there is hardly any juice left, then it kicks in and starts. I had this same exact problem in my previous vehicle which was a 86 for bronco II, its not the battery I bought a brand new one for the mercury and same thing, I am going to replace the wiring harness from the ALT to the batt and maybe replace the ALT, good idea?
Swez on 08/13/2003 19:37:02
Have your alternator looked at and tested. The battery installed wrong may have damaged the diodes or regulator. It may be working at a very deminished capacity or dead.
The battery will start the car, and if the ALT fails, usually get a dummy light or low voltage on the voltage gage. As the car runs for a bit, it depleats the battery enough to make the car run poorly or stop altogether.
After a period of rest, the battery will regain some charge... enough to start the car again and the whole cycle repeats.
HINT: If engine RMP drops notable with lights on, the Alt may be trying to restore a charge to battery. If the Alt is weak or dead, you can start the car, remove the NEG battery cable and see what happens.
If the car still runs, ALT is working to some degree. If the car shuts off immediately, ALT problems are likely or the power wires and ground are not doing the job. (corrosion, rust etc.)
Finally, if you have a DC volt meter, check the battery voltage with car off first. It should read very close to 12.0 volts. Now, start the engine and read it again. The new voltage reading at the battery should be above 13.4 volts. If less than 12.5 volts, not charging properly.... time for a new ALT. (Rebuilts are cheaper and life time warrantee too)
Swez
compvr15s on 08/15/2003 21:46:44
its probably your starter, if it dont start when its warm but when its fine, get under the car with a screw driver and touch the terminals together, then try to restart it, thats what i had to do for a few days in the grand prix till i got a new one, have it tested first because if its not the starter then it may cause some damage to it, but if its already damaged then the screw driver will not hurt it any more.started fine after cooling off but once it got warm wouldnt start for the life of me, id check into your starter
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