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GPag
New User
Aug 24, 2014, 1:11 PM
Post #1 of 7
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93 Escort Starting Issue
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I put a new battery in a 93 escort about a month ago because the battery was completely dead. The car jumped fine and I could drive it but the battery would not keep a charge. After replacement the car started right up and ran, though I did not run it for any length of time. I have not used the car since. Yesterday, I went to start it and the battery was dead. As soon as I attached jumper cables the car came alive - dash lights, key in ignition open door warning chime etc. and the car started right up. I took the cables off and in about a minute the car died. This happened several times and I gave up as it was late in the day.
Today, I checked the battery with a meter and it showed no voltage. I left the meter leads attached as I jumped the car. The voltage went up to 14 volts when the car was running. I turned on headlights, the AC, the radio and anything else I could think of. The meter stayed at 14V after dropping for a second. I left it running with the cables attached to both vehicle for about 20 minutes, then disconnected the cables. The meter stayed at 13.9V - 14V so I assume the alternator was charging the battery. After a minute or so the car died. The meter showed 0.3V.
Any idea what is going on? The battery is new, the alternator appears to be charging. What else could it be? How can I check to see if there is a load somewhere that is draining the battery faster than it can be charged? Is that even possible ( the load, not checking for it)? Any suggestions where to go from here that do not involve a tow truck yet? I just want to get going long enough to get to my mechanic that is 15 minutes a way.
Thanks
(This post was edited by GPag on Aug 24, 2014, 1:12 PM)
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kev2
Veteran
Aug 24, 2014, 1:28 PM
Post #2 of 7
(1457 views)
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Re: 93 Escort Starting Issue
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have you checked
the battery cables. - neg cable BOTH ends- clean tight, corrosion free
the cable connections to the battery, the connection may not be clean tight.
- where are you measuring the @14 volts - right at the battery OR back of alternator?
- check for a parasitic drain- do you know how?
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top or side post battery? Suspect the cable terminal to battery connection.
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GPag
New User
Aug 24, 2014, 1:35 PM
Post #3 of 7
(1455 views)
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Re: 93 Escort Starting Issue
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Hi,
I checked the voltage at the battery. If there was a cable connection issue would the car jump so easily? There is no corrosion and the wires are tight. I do have round sleeves on the battery terminals because the cables were too big to clamp tight. No I don't know how to check for a parasitic load but I assume you have to have a charged battery to do that.. Can you check with the car running on jumpers?
Thanks
(This post was edited by GPag on Aug 24, 2014, 2:03 PM)
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kev2
Veteran
Aug 24, 2014, 3:15 PM
Post #4 of 7
(1440 views)
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Re: 93 Escort Starting Issue
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" I do have round sleeves on the battery terminals"
that is where I would start- sounds loke battery is not in contact with cables- why you get 14v at terminal and a dead battery-
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GPag
New User
Aug 24, 2014, 4:06 PM
Post #5 of 7
(1430 views)
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Re: 93 Escort Starting Issue
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That was one of the first things I checked. The cables are solid and have a good connection. I jumped the car with the cables on the sleeves and it started right up.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 24, 2014, 6:17 PM
Post #6 of 7
(1421 views)
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Re: 93 Escort Starting Issue
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Still smacks of the cables ends at battery. Cheap stuff can look fine and not be. Tight feels tight but isn't truly connecting thru a split but jumper cables are on outer part so would connect to car not the battery necessarily.
Charge a battery with a charger not counting on car then do any observations as it's hard on alternators up to killing them. New battery is usually only about 60% charged or a bit more so plain new isn't enough yet till run long enough with working charging system or charged ahead of time.
Good battery if charged with good connections on this should go your 15 minutes without charging at all but not with bad cable connections. Twist on them and bet they turn now while tight,
T
(edit to add) A dead/flat battery left that way will stay dead and not take a charge at some point new or not........
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Aug 24, 2014, 6:26 PM)
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GC
User
Aug 25, 2014, 6:23 AM
Post #7 of 7
(1402 views)
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Re: 93 Escort Starting Issue
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Need to make sure that "new" battery is still good after sitting dead for a month. I would pull the battery and charge it for sure, you dont want to use your alternator to charge it anyway. Then have it tested.
____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob
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