94 GT electrical problem in rain

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Sabonis113

New Member

Jun 24, 2007

7

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0

Jun 24, 2007

#1

• Jun 24, 2007

• #1

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

No 13 year olds are safe around me.

10 Year Member

Jan 8, 2006

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99

Louisiana

Jun 24, 2007

#2

• Jun 24, 2007

• #2

That sounds like something with the alternator.

 

cjones

Founding Member

Jul 20, 2002

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Avondale, AZ

Jun 25, 2007

#3

• Jun 25, 2007

• #3

i agree, the regulator or wiring for it.

 

S

Sabonis113

New Member

Jun 24, 2007

7

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Jun 25, 2007

#4

• Jun 25, 2007

• #4

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

 

GTA_V6_Mustang

Active Member

Nov 29, 2004

1,326

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39

Miami, FL

Jun 25, 2007

#5

• Jun 25, 2007

• #5

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.

 

S

Sabonis113

New Member

Jun 24, 2007

7

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0

Jun 25, 2007

#6

• Jun 25, 2007

• #6

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

Active Member

May 18, 2006

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longwood, FL

Jun 25, 2007

#7

• Jun 25, 2007

• #7

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

 

S

Sabonis113

New Member

Jun 24, 2007

7

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Jun 25, 2007

#8

• Jun 25, 2007

• #8

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

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

 

cjones

Founding Member

Jul 20, 2002

1,561

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37

Avondale, AZ

Jun 25, 2007

#9

• Jun 25, 2007

• #9

here's fords article for testing over charge.

 

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BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

3,133

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108

Chicagoland

Jun 25, 2007

#10

• Jun 25, 2007

• #10

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.

 

S

Sabonis113

New Member

Jun 24, 2007

7

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Jun 25, 2007

#11

• Jun 25, 2007

• #11

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

20+ Year Stangneter

Aug 26, 2003

3,031

2

58

Tucson, AZ

Jun 26, 2007

#12

• Jun 26, 2007

• #12

Sabonis113 said:

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

Click to expand...

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.