Serious Electrical Fault

[neb_scot]

I was wondering if someone could help me work out what could be wrong here.

This morning, when I put my key in the slot and turned to the first notch, the power came on as expected. As I turned to the next notch, instead of the starter turning, the whole electrical system in the car went dead. Nothing. Not even a light.
I withdrew the keys and reinserted to try again - but this time it didn't even show a light for the first notch.

Eventually, after withdawing the key a number of times and repeating the process, life returned to my dashboard, and to the starter.

This is bad because I need to drive home today - so I may be stuck....

Any idea what could be causing it?

So thoughts I had -

- Old bad car battery
- Starter motor is shorting (but I dont understand why that would mean I still couldn't get any lights on the dashboard)

Any suggestions you have would be very helpful....

[Ruffinit]

Sounds like it could simply be a bad connection on your battery. A not so simple solution could be that your ignition switch is going out on you.

Hard to troubleshoot that without being there...

Let us know what you find.

[neb_scot]

Well,

for sure the battery is dead. I had to get a jump and that wouldn't even do it. Eventually, I fear, the starter appeared to jam, proceeding to make a squeaking noise. Straight after that, all the remaining 'juice' in the battery disappeared - even with the jump still attached & revving.

Im hoping it was by chance just a flat battery due to the cold. realistically, I wont be surprised if the alternator is gone.

Worst case - what happens if the starter is jammed? how do you resolve a situation like that? given the lack of time Ive had to even change a thermostat, I do not see how I could ever get around to fixing that.

So for the time being, the BII is sat in the parking lot at work and the battery is in my basement charging. If I can get a loan of a multimeter I can test my alternator.

Out of curiosity, I was wondering if I have the correct battery for the car - does anyone know what its meant to have - amp wise. I only mention it because it seems puny in size when compared to the one in my wife's mini van (not that I know anything about car batteries)

thank for the help....

[WaPaul]

As for the battery, if it fits and is held in place it the right one. If you go to any parts store and buy a new battery they will know which battery is the stock replacement.

check your ground wires. Most of the time when a battery cable is looose and no power get though you need to move it by hand to get a contact.

As for your starter, where I live there is a shop that rebuilds starters with a 1 year warranty. Alternator can be taken off and tested for free at most parts stores.

[Ruffinit]

A battery can die at the drop of a hat. Both brought on by extreme cold or extreme heat. If the cell dies, it is hard to even jump it, and if you get a jump that allows it to turn over, the starter may not have enough juice and you could kill it just because you are putting such a load on it without enough current (amperage). So, one thing leads to another. If you get the battery to take a charge and then try to start, but the battery seems dead, (reads good with a multimeter) you have a bad cell. Get a new battery. Remember that the MM doesn't through a load on the battery.

The Bronco II battery will look a bit smallish compared to the newer vehicles, but that is primarilly because the newer vehicles need more juice to run and operate all the electrical. BIIs are very simple comparatively. But as WaPaul says, if you can put it in and secure it, without interference then it will work.

[neb_scot]

I charged the battery today and managed to start it first time. After running it for a while, I had to stop it (for another reason - I'll post about that separate). When I went to start it this time - despite the engine being plenty warm - it took way longer to get going. Remembering the battery was all but full this time.

What can cause the engine not to start when its warm and has been running well before hand? I hope Im not asking one of those "how long is a piece of string" questions. The inigition electrics (along with the air filter) were all replaced about 3 months ago - so they should not be faulty.

Im really sorry to ask so many questions - I dont have access to anyone/anywhere with the info I need...

[Ruffinit]

I'm still thinking that you have a weak battery. Drive that thing over to Autozone and have them throw a battery tester on it. IF that's not the case, you can pull the alternator right there in their parking lot and walk in to have it tested. Until you do these things, you're swinging in the wind.

[neb_scot]

I think you probably are right. Im shooting in the dark till I get it tested....