Hi all!
New member, first problem. So I left my '81 FI spider with my parents for the last two months. About a month ago, my dad did drive the car for about 20 min, but other than that it has just been sitting. I went to go start it this morning, and it wouldn't start - dead battery. I jumpstarted it, but after about 5-10 minutes of idling, it died. I tried a couple more times, same result.
I thought I had found the problem when I realized that when the car was resprayed the paint had never been sanded back on the ground that the (-) end of the battery connects to. Cleaned up that ground, as well as the battery terminals, and tried again, but still no success.
The fact that this gremlin sprung up after having sat for a while make me think the issue is the battery - can age (don't know the history but it really doesn't look that old)/being almost dead affect a battery's ability charge? (i.e., could age make it not able to gain electricity faster than it is being used when idling?)
I would suspect the alternator, but the alternator was rebuilt about a year ago when the engine was, it has a new cable and the tension is fine. It was working fine before two months ago, and I don't know why it would stop working after having having sat for a while.
Any advice for ways to figure out what the problem is (without a multimeter... I know, I'll get one soon) before I throw up the white flag and call my mechanic tomorrow? Does this sound like battery, alternator, or something else?
Thanks very much!
Kirk
Battery won't charge
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MidwestCoaster
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2012 7:05 pm
- Your car is a: Dont have one yet
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wizard124
- Posts: 752
- Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:27 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 124 spider FI
- Location: Sheridan, WY exSan Rafael, CA
Re: Battery won't charge
Does the alternator light in the dash panel illuminate when the key is turned to run? Does it go out when the engine is running? My understanding is this light bulb has to be good for the charging system to work. This would be the first issue to correct.
If your answers are yes and yes to the two questions above then check the alternator output. Do you have a multi-meter? They are cheap so buy one. Connect the positive (red) clip to the big stud on the back of the aternator (will have a nut and thick wires attached to it). Connect the negative clip to chassis ground. With the car running, you should read 14-15 volts DC. That alternator has an integrated voltage regulator. This check will verify the alternator. BTW, with the car not running, the voltage read will be the same as your battery.
Yes, your battery can be bad. Most auto parts stores can check it for you. If the voltage output of the alternator is much higher than 14ish, this can ruin a battery.
If your answers are yes and yes to the two questions above then check the alternator output. Do you have a multi-meter? They are cheap so buy one. Connect the positive (red) clip to the big stud on the back of the aternator (will have a nut and thick wires attached to it). Connect the negative clip to chassis ground. With the car running, you should read 14-15 volts DC. That alternator has an integrated voltage regulator. This check will verify the alternator. BTW, with the car not running, the voltage read will be the same as your battery.
Yes, your battery can be bad. Most auto parts stores can check it for you. If the voltage output of the alternator is much higher than 14ish, this can ruin a battery.
'80 spider FI, SnugTop hardtop
http://s940.photobucket.com/user/a7ewiz ... t=3&page=1
http://s940.photobucket.com/user/a7ewiz ... t=3&page=1
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azruss
- Posts: 3659
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
- Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI
Re: Battery won't charge
If your battery ground was bad, how about your engine ground and any other motor grounds (you have 2 on the intake plenum).
Buy or borrow and multi-meter. set it on DC volts and put the 2 leads on each battery terminal while the car is running. If you are getting about 13.5 volts, your alternator is fine. Batteries dont like to sit and could very well be bad. You can have it load tested for free at your local auto parts store. Dont expect your car to charge up a weak battery. put it on a charger.
Buy or borrow and multi-meter. set it on DC volts and put the 2 leads on each battery terminal while the car is running. If you are getting about 13.5 volts, your alternator is fine. Batteries dont like to sit and could very well be bad. You can have it load tested for free at your local auto parts store. Dont expect your car to charge up a weak battery. put it on a charger.
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MidwestCoaster
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2012 7:05 pm
- Your car is a: Dont have one yet
Re: Battery won't charge
I checked, the bulb never went on. In the morning I'll see if it burnt out or something. Are you saying that if the bulb is out, the alternator cannot charge the battery? That sounds like a terrible design flaw...wizard124 wrote:Does the alternator light in the dash panel illuminate when the key is turned to run? Does it go out when the engine is running? My understanding is this light bulb has to be good for the charging system to work. This would be the first issue to correct.
If thats not the problem I'll check the battery, alternator, and check the plenum leads.
Thanks for the advice!
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azruss
- Posts: 3659
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
- Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI
Re: Battery won't charge
yes, the light completes a required circuit. I agree....a bad design
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spider2081
- Patron 2024
- Posts: 3015
- Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
- Location: Wallingford,CT
Re: Battery won't charge
In most all cars the warning lights are tested when t he ignition switch is turned to the "run" position. If any of the lights do not light it indicates a possible problem beyond a simple light bulb problem.
The charge warning light in the Fiat one wire alternator circuit is powered from an unfused circuit off the "int" terminal of the ignition switch. The headlights, windshield wipers and heater are a few of the other circuits that operate from the same terminal. If they are working most likely your ignition switch is ok.
If you pull the single "push on" terminal off t he back of the alternator and ground it the "charge indicator" light should light in the Tachometer. If it does the most likely problem is in the alternators voltage regulator. If it does not light then check the bulb.
The charge warning light in the Fiat one wire alternator circuit is powered from an unfused circuit off the "int" terminal of the ignition switch. The headlights, windshield wipers and heater are a few of the other circuits that operate from the same terminal. If they are working most likely your ignition switch is ok.
If you pull the single "push on" terminal off t he back of the alternator and ground it the "charge indicator" light should light in the Tachometer. If it does the most likely problem is in the alternators voltage regulator. If it does not light then check the bulb.
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MidwestCoaster
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2012 7:05 pm
- Your car is a: Dont have one yet
Re: Battery won't charge
Got the battery tested after charging it all night, it was fine. 
Turns out that the bulb had gone out. After putting in a new one, cleaning up a few more grounds just to be extra sure, plugging the speedo cable back in (whoops), and checking the alternator to be triple sure (14.3 V), everything is back to normal!
Thanks for the help!
Kirk
Turns out that the bulb had gone out. After putting in a new one, cleaning up a few more grounds just to be extra sure, plugging the speedo cable back in (whoops), and checking the alternator to be triple sure (14.3 V), everything is back to normal! Thanks for the help!
Kirk