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an off topic electric problem or my starter won't start this mornin' lord part 2 120-130

The question relates to my 95 Geo Tracker not my 122s. I'm still working on electrical issues with both amazons, man this sucks.

The past day or so it's been giving off odd odors but that isn't really unusual and it briefly stalled on me once, but recovered instantly. Nothing at all unusual today after several stops until I attempted to leave my last destination at about dusk (important) to head for home when there was no response from the starter. I tried it a couple of times and it finally started, but reluctantly.
About 1/2 way home it just dogged out and I mean really bad, like I was just mopeing along at 2 miles an hour just trying to keep it going. Well I could see that it was probably hopeless and pulled onto the shoulder to call AAA. Well guess what, when I turned off the lights it just perked right up and was it's old self. I drove home normally, all back roads with no lights but guided by a full moon. It wasn't that big an issue, except every car that passed flashed me the no headlamps high sign. As I was driving, I tried turning on the lights a couple of times to see what would happen, it wasn't good and just the signals caused it to want to die.

It was to dark to attempt any investigation when I finally got back, but I'll bet it's my alternator that has crapped out. But I wouldn't mind a 2nd or 3rd opinion.








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    an off topic electric problem or my starter won't start this mornin' lord part 2 120-130

    Check the grounds for your headlights and your ignition system.

    If you look in the 700/900 FAQ you will find a listing about car stalling when headlights are turned to high beams.

    It happened to me, cleaning all the named grounds solved the problem - in the Volvos, they are all in the left front fender.








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    an off topic electric problem or my starter won't start this mornin' lord part 2 120-130

    Anthony;

    Symptom of engine cutting out when lights are turned ON suggests that the Lights load is dropping the system voltage so far, that Ignition electronics cant even work (and Charging System output is not there OR has a poor connection in-line that it cannot contribute to the power bus)...is there anything more than an Amp Indicator or (more likely) Voltmeter in the dash...and what were these indicating...anything unusual?

    ...or it could be a simple matter of a poor connection around Battery or Charging System...which develops such a high voltage drop that the downstream loads have very little voltage to work with. Check for loose main connections, or connections on which lots of green oxidation is growing...disassemble superclean to shiny metal, apply ACZP and tighten properly.

    You could also measure Battery voltage (at posts!), as someone tries to start. Once started System Voltage should be pulled as you rev up from idle by Charging System output.

    Good Hunting!

    All: Winter is coming! A preventative maintenance on Battery posts NOW will save you from pain and suffering when its 20below out and you need to get to work!








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    an off topic electric problem or my starter won't start this mornin' lord part 2 120-130

    First guess is the alternator too.
    Should be easy enough to check for 13-14 volts when it is running, no?
    Alternator light is on at KPII but goes out once it starts? Or never goes on at all.
    I wonder if there are any fuses that control the charging? Doubt it, but...
    --
    "Differences of opinions should be tolerated, but not if they're too different' - Sharon Craig







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