Help me narrow down my electrical problem?

[Pu241]

they have 24hr autozones??

Yes, strangely enough outside of West by god Virgina they have many new fangled things.
I actually have a 24 hour Advanced Auto within 6 miles of me!

[wybnrml]

Can you not bypass the links as a temp test to see what happens? Don't do your jumpy near exposed metal.

BTW there is a thread somewhere where people replace those pieces with more heavy duty cartridge pieces, can't find it now. 30 second wait to search for a typo and now im impatient.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24514&highlight=fusable+links

There you go.

[getnpsi]

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...=fusable+links
There you go.

Thanks so much. These cars are much more simple, "starting over" seems to be far superior to playing around with a test light, unless you enjoy that.

[The_Collector]

I would kill for a 24hour auto parts store near me....so many times I've had to stop what I was doing cause I forgot some stupid part/tool/fluids

[brickdog2000]

If I am understanding this thread correctly your dies on you while you are driving. I have had this happen to me in one of my previous vehicles and it turned out to be a loose connection on the battery. I'm not saying this is it, but sometimes we look into to problems a little to deep. Just my 2 cents worth. Again I am not saying I am right.

Another thing, why is west virgina so privledged to have a 24hr autozone? Must be nice to get parts whenever you feel like. lol

[takeone51]

Mr. Matt Awsome, i had the same problem.. its your crank pully the rubber isolator deteriorates and and the pully will turn very slowly and make a screeching sound like the belt is loose.. and also cause the alt not to charge and in turn killing the battery.. pop the hood and grab the pully and wiggle it with your hand, if it moves you know you have an issue..

[Pu241]

Another thing, why is west virgina so privledged to have a 24hr autozone? Must be nice to get parts whenever you feel like. lol

Brick, 92festie was surprised that there were 24 hr Autozones, not that he had access to one.

[brickdog2000]

Shows you how well i can read and comprehend, but that does not change the fact that I would still like a 24hr part store too.

[WmWatt]

If the alaternator tests okay off the car then the problem would seem to be in the belt drive on the car or in the wiring on the car.

[Pu241]

..... but that does not change the fact that I would still like a 24hr part store too.

Yes, they make things alot nicer!

[JohnGunn]

How's your charge light?

About two months ago at 180,000 miles the original alternator on my '90 Festiva died. It happened suddenly, no sign of any problem, then I started it and the charge light came on and stayed on while the belt emitted an extremely loud screeching noise, as if the alternator were trying to power the Las Vegas Strip, even though no electrical motors or lights were on. Since you haven't mentioned the charge light I assume it has not been on but that could be because the bulb is out. Turn on the ignition and, before turning the key the last bit to engage the starter, look to see that the charge light is lit. A suddenly screeching belt with a solidly lit up charge error light and you have a bad alternator.

I also took my alternator to AutoZone and they found it defective. But they also told me the used unit I found at the junk yard was defective. I couldn't believe it. The bearings were absolutely quiet and still packed with enough grease to slow it's turning. Took it to another AutoZone where it tested good. Moral: If you question the results of a free AutoZone test take to to another store for a second opinion. Cheap even at twice the price.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA