94 GT electrical problem in rain

[Sabonis113]

Hi there,

Just recently we've been getting a lot of rain where I live and I've developed an electrical problem.
On the highway, my battery gauge flipped over to 18V and the ABS light came on with the battery light. The heat gauge also flipped over to the right some but did not get into the red zone.

Funny thing is, I would stop at a light in the city and all the warning lights would go out and the battery gauge would return to normal. The battery gauge would then rise as I took off and would hit 18V everytime I got to about 1600 RPM. Then all the warnings would come back on.

Anyone have an idea to help me avoid an expensive trip to the dealer?

Thanks

94 Mustang GT
302 5spd stick

 

[The Green GT]

That sounds like something with the alternator.

 

[cjones]

i agree, the regulator or wiring for it.

 

[Sabonis113]

thanks for the replies, I'll have a look at it today and let you know.

 

[GTA_V6_Mustang]

That definetly sounds like the alternator! Bad regulator maybe because its putting out too much voltage. Try turning everything on full and see if that helps keep it under control. If it does its that 100% If it doesnt well it could still be that. Easy way to find out is just take a voltmeter and check the output of the alternator at 1600 RPM like you said and if it climbs above 14.5v then you know for sure what your problem is.

 

[Sabonis113]

ok, so the regulator is shot, but this happened when it was raining. How can I be sure that this won't happen again next time the weather get wet?

btw, thanks a lot, you guys are really helpful.

 

[Bosko5.0]

What hood do you have. does it have any openings ing front like the saleen.

 

[Sabonis113]

I've got a stock hood, similar to the one in this link

http://www.stangbangers.com/94GTvsZ28_Article2a.jpg

 

[cjones]

here's fords article for testing over charge.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

I'm almost positive that the fact it was raining had no impact on your regulator going bad. More than likely, the fact that it was wet out was enough just to cause suspicion, but they're probably completely unrelated.

 

[Sabonis113]

ok, so i went and got the alternator replaced and everything seems fine and dandy. My battery cells were almost dry because of the boil-over but i filled that with some water and hopefully that should keep it happy for the time being.
Got lotsa clean up to do... acid sucks.
My mechanic also says it probably wasn't the water either... just a coincidence probably.
Anyhow I appreciate the hints from everyone

thanks again

 

[mo_dingo]

ok, so i went and got the alternator replaced and everything seems fine and dandy. My battery cells were almost dry because of the boil-over but i filled that with some water and hopefully that should keep it happy for the time being.
Got lotsa clean up to do... acid sucks.
My mechanic also says it probably wasn't the water either... just a coincidence probably.
Anyhow I appreciate the hints from everyone

thanks again

Since it was so dry, make sure you drive the car a good distance and get the battery charged pretty well. Then you can do a hydrometer test on each cell to make sure that you didn't lose a cell. Glad you figured out the problem.