Starting/Stalling problem - more info

[discoskc]

I think I have some more information available now about my starting/stalling issue. With the new plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, things seem to be following a pattern.

Here is the pattern:

During the day the vehicle has no problems. She works flawlessly. During the night, the first time I drive her, no problems again. But the second time I try to start her, she does not want to start. Then after turning the key off and on a couple/three times, she starts. But then the lights starts flickering. When I give gas, the lights get brighter. When I take my leg off the gas pedal, the light dims till the engine stalls.

Does this pattern make sense? What could be wrong? Alternator? Battery? Does not seem like the fuel pump or the relay, since during the day I do not have any problems. It seems like when the lights come on, things start to happen. But then what do I know?

Any and all help greatly appreciated.

SKC
--------
95 Disco
68K Miles

 

[joey]

With the issues you are discribing, I would have the battery and the Alternator checked. I would also during this check turn on the headlights and see if the issue shows itself.

 

[discomike]

SKC,
You know what is next to do, remember you mentioned the battery was on your repacement list. You might still want to consider taking it in and having them do a load and draw test on you charging system.
Mike J.

 

[discoskc]

I changed the battery and all the starting problems disappeared. No more flickering lights. No stalling even after driving with lights on.

Was the problem just a dead battery? How can an Optima Red Top die within a year? 10 months actually!

Or is there something else that caused this to happen?

 

[Jaak]

Batteries are rather funny. They can last 1 month or over 5 years ... just like any other manufactured devices. Maybe you got a 'bad apple" out of the bunch. I have worked with over a couple of hundred RV27 batteries in Stadby Power Suplies and each battery is different.

Hell ... we have a Canadian Tire in Canada that sells bateries by the train load; guess half are replacements for batteries that fail within 6 months.

On a side note ... make sure the terminals are tight and clean. If you have access to a voltmeter, check the battery voltage. It sould be less than 13 VDC with the ingition turned off. Start the truck and check the voltage. It sould be above 13 VDC ... closer to 14.5 VDC and dropps as the battery is being charged up. When the ambiant temperature is high ... above 25 C/ 75F the battery charge voltage will be less as not to boil over the battery. When it is cold ... below freezing ... the voltage will be higher.

This is an easy test of the charging system. If you need a comprehensive test, take it to a garage.

Hope this helps,

 

[ColeCam]

Do you have any add-ons at all that have an electrical connection, i.e. lights, winch, aftermarket trailer/towing plug, stereo, etc. Those can drain a battery on occasion, even while not even in use, I had a superwinch that would drain my battery, even when not in use, I put disconnects on it so it would not be hooked up unless I needed it. Before that I was recharging my battery everyday, afterwards I never needed to again. What I am getting at is that you had just enough power to run everything until you turned on your lights, so something else or your lights may have been pulling more power than they should and slowly bogging down your battery. Or like said above, could have been just a bad battery?

 

[discoskc]

I just got the vehicle from the garage. It seems that the electrical system is working fine. The alternator is working fine. The charging system is fine too.

So I guess the battery itself was the problem then, huh?

 

[Jaak]

I just got the vehicle from the garage. It seems that the electrical system is working fine. The alternator is working fine. The charging system is fine too.

So I guess the battery itself was the problem then, huh?

Yes ... hope it was replaced under warrenty!