Troubleshooting electrical problems
(New page: '''BASICS:''' Most problems are due to poor electrical connections. Batteries and alternators will go bad in time, and should be tested at your local parts store IF the basics mentioned h...) |
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| − | '''Cleaning | + | |
| + | '''Cleaning Terminals:''' | ||
Start at the battery and regardless of how the connections look, remove the cables, positive first. Use a battery terminal wire brush tool to clean the battery terminals and the cable terminals. Remove all old oxidized surface. Be aware that Lead is likely present. | Start at the battery and regardless of how the connections look, remove the cables, positive first. Use a battery terminal wire brush tool to clean the battery terminals and the cable terminals. Remove all old oxidized surface. Be aware that Lead is likely present. | ||
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Remove the other end of the battery cables and clean those terminals and where they mount with a wire brush. Make sure you see shiney bare metal. Again a light coating of non-conducting grease would be optimal, but not required. | Remove the other end of the battery cables and clean those terminals and where they mount with a wire brush. Make sure you see shiney bare metal. Again a light coating of non-conducting grease would be optimal, but not required. | ||
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'''GROUNDS for Grounding''' | '''GROUNDS for Grounding''' | ||
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The battery Positive (+) terminal connects to the starter solenoid. Again, this is mostly due to the demands of the starter requiring maximum power transfer from the battery. | The battery Positive (+) terminal connects to the starter solenoid. Again, this is mostly due to the demands of the starter requiring maximum power transfer from the battery. | ||
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| − | Cable Inspection''' | + | |
| + | '''Cable Inspection''' | ||
Look your battery cables over very well for signs of problems. Sometimes you will see a green color on the wire somewhere. This is corrosion of the copper; similar to rust on the steel. This is a sign you may need to replace the cable if it can't easily be removed. Even if you can clean it, the corrosion may have traveled up under the insulation and would likely eventually cause problems if it's not already degrading your cable's ability to carry current. | Look your battery cables over very well for signs of problems. Sometimes you will see a green color on the wire somewhere. This is corrosion of the copper; similar to rust on the steel. This is a sign you may need to replace the cable if it can't easily be removed. Even if you can clean it, the corrosion may have traveled up under the insulation and would likely eventually cause problems if it's not already degrading your cable's ability to carry current. | ||
Battery cables are cheap. Yes they can be a pain to change in some instances, but changing them when you can in a controlled environment might save you from being broken down on the road in bad weather. | Battery cables are cheap. Yes they can be a pain to change in some instances, but changing them when you can in a controlled environment might save you from being broken down on the road in bad weather. | ||
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'''Bigger is Better!''' | '''Bigger is Better!''' | ||
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Know your length needs before going in. Remove the current cables and take them with you to be sure you have the proper length. To be sure you can add a little to the length, but keep in mind, the longer the cable, the more resistance to current flow. | Know your length needs before going in. Remove the current cables and take them with you to be sure you have the proper length. To be sure you can add a little to the length, but keep in mind, the longer the cable, the more resistance to current flow. | ||
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'''You're Grounded!''' | '''You're Grounded!''' | ||
Be sure there's a ground strap going from the engine to the body, and to the frame. Make sure there two grounding straps exist and are also clean at both ends. Most electrical gremlins are due to bad grounds. All too often these bad grounds are these grounding straps, or the battery cables not making good connection. If all of these connections are good clean connections you have a solid foundation to build from and will eliminate most electrical gremlins. | Be sure there's a ground strap going from the engine to the body, and to the frame. Make sure there two grounding straps exist and are also clean at both ends. Most electrical gremlins are due to bad grounds. All too often these bad grounds are these grounding straps, or the battery cables not making good connection. If all of these connections are good clean connections you have a solid foundation to build from and will eliminate most electrical gremlins. | ||
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'''Wiring Harness''' | '''Wiring Harness''' | ||
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