1994 Ford Explorer Haevy Battery discharge after starting

Tiny
STANSMITH
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 196,494 MILES
The problem is intermittent. The car starts easily, then I notice the ammeter is showing full scale discharge, with lights on or off. Most often, after driving for about 15 minutes, the ammeter will suddenly return to normal. Just yesterday, I had driven about 10 miles with the car starting normally and showing no problem until I parked the car to shop for food. After shopping for perhps an hour, I returned to the car. The engine then started easily, but I noticed that again the ammeter was showing full discharge. This time, the ammeter continued to show discharge until I had driven home and turned off the engine. This morning, I started the car with the ammeter again showing full discharge. In about a minute, the ammeter suddenly returned to normal. I drove about 15 miles with the ammeter showing charging of the battery. I returned home with the ammeter still showing normal indication. What is happening? Starting relay or solenoid sticking? How to diagnose?
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Saturday, September 19th, 2009 AT 7:27 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi stansmith,

Thank you for the donation.

Seems the alternator is failing with the brushes running out. When this happens, intermittent non charging would occur.

The next time this occurs, give the alternator some juddering knocks/taps with the wooden handle of a hammer etc and if charging resumes, it would confirm the brushes are running tou.
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Sunday, September 20th, 2009 AT 3:09 AM

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