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battery keeps going dead =(
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shaneb
Novice
Jun 25, 2010, 9:42 AM
Post #1 of 11
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battery keeps going dead =(
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I have a 1983 Dodge B-350 van that I am having charging problems with, the battery keeps going dead. I have replaced the battery and let it sit for 3 weeks to be sure that something wasn't draining the battery while it sits and thats not the problem. I replaced the alternator and it still goes dead. I bought a replacement voltage regulator and want to install it but I can't find where it goes. Do you agree that the voltage regulator is probably the problem? Where is the voltage regulator located?
1983 Dodge B-350 Van
5.9 ltr V8 4 brl
55k original miles
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 25, 2010, 9:55 AM
Post #2 of 11
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Re: battery keeps going dead =(
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Don't know the trucks nor Mopars as well as others. In 1983 I bet the regulator is inside the alternator. Others may know better. Last external regulators were usually on the firewall. They looked like this...........
You may have a fuse or fusible link between battery and alternator that has given out,
T
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shaneb
Novice
Jun 25, 2010, 10:00 AM
Post #3 of 11
(1876 views)
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Re: battery keeps going dead =(
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Yea, theres a sticker on the alternator that says it has an external regulator and thats what the part looks like. The firewall is hella hard to get at on this van, do you know where on the firewall its located? how would i check for fuse or fusable link?
(This post was edited by shaneb on Jun 25, 2010, 10:01 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 25, 2010, 10:05 AM
Post #5 of 11
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Re: battery keeps going dead =(
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OK - bear with me - I'm trying. It would look much like that and just two 3/8th lag type bolts to body metal. They could be threaded and 10mm or something but same idea.
Just gotta look for now. Bet it's closer than you think. It it doesn't plug in or look identical (color may vary) that's not the one. There may have been a different shaped one but I doubt it. It was fairly common for those to fail,
T
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shaneb
Novice
Jun 25, 2010, 10:40 AM
Post #6 of 11
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Re: battery keeps going dead =(
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Lol you were right, it was right in front of me. So I got it changed out and I'm charging the battery now so hopefully I'll get it started here soon and hopefully itll hold a charge this time. Thanks Ill update when I know more.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 25, 2010, 11:07 AM
Post #7 of 11
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Re: battery keeps going dead =(
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I like HT "rule of thumb" but never can guess what trucks might do. These were popular as said and back when most were this way I used to have a spare as a tool just to test them first, then buy the new one if that solved it.
Good move to charge battery first. No alternator want to work its brains out on a weak battery just complicates the whole situation. Fingers crossed for you,
T
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shaneb
Novice
Jun 25, 2010, 1:33 PM
Post #8 of 11
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Re: battery keeps going dead =(
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Ok, so I jumped it and got it started and let it run for like 30 minutes to try to charge the battery. Afterwards there still wasnt even enough charge to power the radio. I've replaced the alternator, battery and voltage regulator. I'm completely out of ideas. Please help! =(
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 25, 2010, 1:45 PM
Post #9 of 11
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Re: battery keeps going dead =(
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Hit the "back" button here:
If the battery after being charged can't even start the car that's a whole problem on its own AND very much will if it can't even run the radio cause the system not to charge in most all cases. Alternator may have worked till it was red hot just from the jump and croaked already.
If you are willing with the donor car just leave the jumpers on and don't start that car. Then when you get the other going you should see the voltage go up and even feel the alternator get warm to hot. Hot isn't good for them.
It must have a known good battery, charged up at least most of the way best with all connections known ok or results will not be credible. Both battery and an alternator need each other to be good or one can take out the other. In that it took a jump and started, either battery cable connections are lousy at battery or the battery is junk no matter how new it might be,
T
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shaneb
Novice
Jun 25, 2010, 5:40 PM
Post #10 of 11
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Re: battery keeps going dead =(
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Will replace the battery and alternator again, both at the same time, and hopefully thatll do it. Ill let you know the results when I'm done. Thanks again for your help
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 25, 2010, 7:01 PM
Post #11 of 11
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Re: battery keeps going dead =(
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It's hard to know when something does happen and you find no charging or a dead battery what happened especially if away from your repair place. A dead battery for any reason - like even leaving lights on or something, once jumped the alternator can really overwork and in doing so the fast recharge of the battery is hard on it. The battery can get a short inside it or plain be no good and the alternator works too hard again so the dang things can take each other with them.
Not being funny but regular automotive batteries don't want to be drained dead but rather have the umph for start up and quick be put back to full charge by alternator. Once underway the alternator is really doing the work for the lights, radio, blowers etc while keeping the battery tip top for the next start up. If alternator is unharnessed by the regulator it will just overdo it and put out too much and high voltage too that is damaging to stuff too. Then that can blow light bulbs, overwork alternator, hurt battery and the cycle begins again.
Always try and I know when you get stuck it's near impossible to charge a battery with a charger when found low.
Side Note: When jumping a dead vehicle away from your shop or whatever try to leave donor car hooked up and feel both vehicle's alternators safely for how hot they get. Take breaks - it becomes 1/2 hour plus to slowly get the dead one up without overworking the alternators of either vehicle. Be a nice guy and jump someone else you are risking your own so I suggest taking the time when at all possible to leave them hooked up for a while. Stop and let them cool down and continue a couple times or this ping pong game can go on forever.
Try to remember that regular automotive batteries are not like that in ones for cell phone and the like. They don't want to get used up to the end. Even the "house" current chargers take breaks if worked too hard or good ones do.
Good luck. Again - both need be ok at the same time or close and heat is a big enemy of either,
T
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