<VV> Engine start troubleshooting help
Jim Simpson
simpsonj at verizon.net
Sun May 20 11:15:38 EDT 2012
I think the clue is the battery. Do you have a volt meter? If so, check
the open circuit voltage of the battery, that is, with the cable
disconnected. It should be somewhere around 13 volts. If it's low, you've
got a battery problem, either a bad battery or it's been discharged
somehow. If the voltage is good, then heck it again with the cable
reconnected and everything off -- including any interior or engine
compartment lights. If the voltage drops, you've got a short or at least a
significant current drain somewhere so check whatever you've changed --
your fuel pump connections -- perhaps you managed to ground something that
shouldn't be grounded. Again, if the voltage is good, turn on your
headlights (hi beams) and check the voltage a third time. It should drop
slightly, but if the battery is good and is reasonably fully charged the
voltage should stay up around 11.5 - 12 volts.
One problem I had way back when was breaking the battery post connection
internal to the battery. Somehow when removing/reinstalling the battery
cable, the connection inside the battery broke. I don't know if it was a
manufacturing defect or if I was too rough on it, but that battery was
toast.
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