Hey guys im new to the forums and also new to the Mustang Scene..I picked up a Vortech Supercharged lx 5.0 at auction with 80k miles the issue im having is that the alternator is not charging the battery. I replaced the alternator and the cars voltage was reading around 11-12. I thought it to be normal due to it having an aftermarket fuel pump, radio, crane fireball ignition ect..Drove to advance auto where my alternator/battery checked out ok..only issue was the battery's cranking amps were at 412 rather than the 580. Next day I drove the car and the voltage was in the middle around the 14.1/2 range..which I thought was pretty good..on the way home I noticed the volt gauge was low, around the 11-12 range, so I kept driving. I finally noticed it drop to around 10/9 so I stopped at a gas station and it wouldnt not start up. The battery was too weak! My friend came with another battery and I drove it home on battery power. I now notice the battery light on the cluster does not work so I pulled the cluster and replaced the bulb. Still doesnt work. I checked the alternator with the 3 wire plug off and its putting out 11.4v on both prongs isnt that low? The other thick wire on the starter solenoid goes all the way under the car but it doesnt get any voltage..Is that the starter power wire? I am a newbie to the mustangs but im not a newbie to cars. I need help from you guys. And also would like to make some new friends here too.
1. I replaced the alternator with a new one.
2. No charge to battery.
3. Took off alternator to get it checked and it checked out good.
4. Bought a volt meter and checked the 2 black and orange wires coming from the alternator and it read 11.4v.
5. Traced the black and orange wire running up around the radiator probing it every foot and it read 11.4v all the way to the starter solenoid.
6. Battery shows 11.4v while engine is running and off but it drops while running.
7. Probed the brown fusible link on the battery side of the starter solenoid and it read 11.4v
8. Checked the fuses under the dash and all are good.
Im at a loss to what else to check. I cant figure out why the battery is not charging. All the gauges work. None of them are acting funny. All lights work well the turn signals seem a little slow but they work. And the car starts and runs well when the battery is charged. I downloaded the alternator/starter solenoid diagram to help me find me some wires but they're all getting at least 11v. Its frustrating...please help.
1. I replaced the alternator with a new one.
2. No charge to battery.
3. Took off alternator to get it checked and it checked out good.
4. Bought a volt meter and checked the 2 black and orange wires coming from the alternator and it read 11.4v.
5. Traced the black and orange wire running up around the radiator probing it every foot and it read 11.4v all the way to the starter solenoid.
6. Battery shows 11.4v while engine is running and off but it drops while running.
7. Probed the brown fusible link on the battery side of the starter solenoid and it read 11.4v
8. Checked the fuses under the dash and all are good.
Im at a loss to what else to check. I cant figure out why the battery is not charging. All the gauges work. None of them are acting funny. All lights work well the turn signals seem a little slow but they work. And the car starts and runs well when the battery is charged. I downloaded the alternator/starter solenoid diagram to help me find me some wires but they're all getting at least 11v. Its frustrating...please help.