1984 Dodge Ram charging system

JAREDHOTROD

MEMBER
1984 DODGE RAM

Electrical problem
1984 Dodge Ram V8 Four Wheel Drive Manual

I have a 1984 dodge ram with a v-8, we replaced the alternater, voltage regulater, and battery. For some reason the sytem is not holding a charge. I have to popstart it and it works until it has to be started again, or charge the battery. It is dying right down after lights or accesories are used. I am wondering if there is something I am missing? On the inner fenderwall on the battery side, there are a few box type looking objects with wires connecting to them with plugs and what not, wondering if it could be something there? Is there something in the distributer possibly causing it. Is there a resistor somewhere? I am very confused at this point and any help would be greatly appreciated. You have helped me in the past and your help soved my recent problems and I thank you for that. Hope you can help me again this time. Thank you so so much !

5 Replies

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

If you take a multimeter, and hook it to your battery while its running, are you getting a reading around 14.4 volts? If so, then you know your alternator is charging the battery. Im not positive, but there may even be an alternator fuse on this vehicle. Check for one, and check that the battery is recieving a charge. From there we can eliminate a few things.

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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 8:51 PM

JAREDHOTROD

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3 POSTS

I did check that, and the battery is running 14 volts while running but it seems the alternater is not working right. And the battery dies soon after driving it. I was also wondering too about an alternater fuse. But we did check the fuses and all checked good. I just dont understand it. It seems like it has to be something simple. I have even cleaned all the wire connections and replugged them all in. Any more suggestions or help would again be greatly appreciated.

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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 8:59 PM

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

You said you replaced the voltage regulator, so im a little baffled on this. The regulator is the most important, it tells the alternator to stop charging when the battery reaches a certain point, and yet your getting a charge to your battery. After you drive this for a while, if you stop, shut if off. Will it start back up within 15-30 minutes? If so, then you have a constant draw somewhere.

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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 9:05 PM

JAREDHOTROD

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3 POSTS

No, it will not start back up after around 15 minutes, it is like it is not staying charged, I pop start it, and then it does it all over again. New regulater, battery and alternater.

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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 9:11 PM

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

If you turn on the headlights and put a big draw on the system, have u checked to make sure the alternator is still charging the battery? As long as you have around 14.4 volts going to your battery this problem shouldnt exist. In a perfect world, haha. You said you put a new battery in, was it load tested? As unlikely as you think, ive seen new batterys no good. Another question, do you have any aftermarket items like a plow, radio, or something that can have been hooked up to a constant power wire instead of a hot wire that gets killed when the key is turned off? Its very hard to diagnose electrical over the internet, so bear with me. I will try my best to get this problem fixed for ya.