Charging Problem

[STANGNUM]

Hey need some help with my 93 5.0. The car battery stops holding a charge at 10 mins according to the guage. During the first 10 mins whenever gas is hit gauge fluctuates up. Then all of a sudden it drops to 10 and doesn't move at all, no matter how high engine is revved..Battery gets so low it kills the engine.

Only thing different is it had some ghetto rigged electric fan, that I cleaned up with a relay. Old relay he had hooked up is still grounded but positive wires not connected to anything. Battery is only a few months old. Had it charging with a battery charger when it died.

 

[Mr. Rustypwnz]

Im kind of going through the same prob. See if the battery needs some water, and then put it on the charger for a couple of hours. Usually your car should run without the batt, connected. Im only getting like two startups from my battery and then I have to charge the crap out of it, I put a little more acid in it today and then some water, and its on the charger right now so it should be good in the morning, ill have to check out the alternator thing also to make sure my alt. is good.
These might apply to you............

Josh

 

[HISSIN50]

I would put a voltmeter (handheld digital) across the battery terminals. Note voltage with the car off. Then start the car and note the voltage. Now check voltage at the alternator charge cables (assuming a 2G). If they are the same, your alt and/or its wiring would seem problematic.

Check and recheck all connections and wiring (it gets old and corroded or vulcanized) at the alt, solenoid and battery.

If not dice above, though not as feasible is: the parts store can test the system dynamically. Should your battery take a flying poop while you're there, most stores will charge it back up. Otherwise, simulating the heat conditions or considering a wiring issue can make it difficult to track down.

Good luck.

 

[STANGNUM]

Thanks for the replies guys. I will try both of your suggestions when I get off work..