Battery not charging

[Rocket Man]

FOUND IT! I'm really not sure how this could have been a part of the initial problem, but perhaps high resistance was the issue. While moving some of the electrical fittings around, I twisted the lead that exits the alternator and goes to the red battery block. It sparked and burned my fingers. I shut the engine off, pulled that lead, and discovered that, upon pulling back a couple of inches of insulation, about 1/2 of the wire had corroded away. Short of measuring resistance at the terminals, I doubt if this would have ever been seen. Burning my fingers exposed the problem. I had a short battery cable in my toolbox that I was able to use in place of the corroded piece. Bingo, no lights, everything charging normally, and the voltmeter indicating the proper voltage.

Thank you to all of you for your much appreciated help. These forums have proven to be a boon to those of us who still enjoy working on our own vehicles.

All hail the forum.

 

[helimd]

I like the response. That's perfect.

 

[Big Mama]

Thanks for closing the loop for the next guy.

 

[mattbta]

Glad you found it. Sorry you burned your fingers.

 

[helimd]

I was glad, as well. As to the fingers, it just seemed like an odd means to find an electrical problem. Whatever it takes, right?

 

[helimd]

Here is a picture of the original problem. By the way, that is the plug for the TPS. The damage was hidden underneath the deteriorating plastic loom.

 

[Big Mama]

Is that the finger you burned? Way to take one for the team.

 

[89Suburban]

FOUND IT! I'm really not sure how this could have been a part of the initial problem, but perhaps high resistance was the issue. While moving some of the electrical fittings around, I twisted the lead that exits the alternator and goes to the red battery block. It sparked and burned my fingers. I shut the engine off, pulled that lead, and discovered that, upon pulling back a couple of inches of insulation, about 1/2 of the wire had corroded away. Short of measuring resistance at the terminals, I doubt if this would have ever been seen. Burning my fingers exposed the problem. I had a short battery cable in my toolbox that I was able to use in place of the corroded piece. Bingo, no lights, everything charging normally, and the voltmeter indicating the proper voltage.

Thank you to all of you for your much appreciated help. These forums have proven to be a boon to those of us who still enjoy working on our own vehicles.

Great job tracking that down! And for letting us know! Thanks!

 

[helimd]

Yep, that would be the one. Thanks for the sympathy, although I am feeling a bit of sarcasm.

 

[89Suburban]

Yep, that would be the one. Thanks for the sympathy, although I am feeling a bit of sarcasm.

Any pictures of the offending wire itself?