Electrical failure at 5500 RPM's

M

MaddShadez

Registered
Hi guys, over the last 2 days I've noticed that when I'm gunning it from a stop light, right when it's about to shift, all interior lights cut out, fuel gauge drops to empty and the stereo shuts off for a second before returning to normal. THe first time it happened I had the stereo cranked. Even though I have a custom wound 210 amp alt, I figured it wasn't designed to put out the power needed at that high of RPM's. But this moring the stereo was low and it did it again, right when the car shifted. I wonder is it as simple as a loose wire or a sign of a more serious problem? The alt is only 6-7 months old, and I had a freshly charged battery put in at the same time. I doubt it's the alt. Any other ideas? thanks!


dj
 
RE: Electrical failure at 5500 RPM's

Hook up a voltmeter and have a passenger observe it at the time it cuts power out. Run it through its paces, both parked and driving, under heavy load and light. Could be brushes or weak winding(s) if it is related directly to RPMs regardless of load. Differences between parked, driving or loads point to the regulator or diodes.

Regardless, do a cursory check of all connections, especially grounds, and particularly the main feed from the alternator to the battery.

I had the regulator harness plug go bad on a Ford alternator not long ago. It was very intermittent and I only found it by hooking up a DVM and wiggle testing the wiring harness.
 
RE: Electrical failure at 5500 RPM's

I'm thinking it could be the engine moving around (possibly helped by a broken mount) and yanking on a wire. Try putting it in drive with your foot firmly on the brake and gunning it, then do the same in reverse. If it cuts out then it's almost certainly related to the engine moving around.
 
RE: Electrical failure at 5500 RPM's

If you do a search I think this has happened a couple times before. But when it happened to me it was in the ignition and while I was under heavy load. What you might want to try is to start the car and then grab the ring around the ignition and jiggle it back and fourth. I got this tip from a Ford technician - let me know if this helps...
 
RE: Electrical failure at 5500 RPM's

Now that you mention it, my ignition switch has been messed up for some time now. If that really could cause the failure, then I'm sure that's the culprit. Yet another reason to get off my lazy butt and fix it. Thanks for the help guys!
 
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