Car looses power

overlandtounder · 05-10-2009, 03:03 AM

Im driving a 20 year old Nissan Skyline which lost power randomly recently. We were driving along and my stereo started flashing and then died. Shortly after the engine cut out but the lights still worked. Tried to start it and it made a ticking noise and wouldn't turn over. Next day it started up no probs we drove took it for a 10 minute drive where it sat for about 2 hours and then another 10 minute drive and it lost power again and the engine died and the ticking noise was back.

A new igniton was fitted on 25th March 09. The alternator got wet on the 20th April and the power cut off started just recently. I wonder if the alternators not charinging the battery? Can getting it wet shorten it out? Apparently all the bearings etc are all good in the alt? Maybe its something to do with the igntiion?

Going to take the battery to be tested tomorrow any other chat would be useful

**wrench97** · 05-10-2009, 03:30 AM

Battery sounds good, Sounds like it is not charging to me do you have access to a volt meter to check the voltage? Or does it have a voltmeter in the dash?
Running with the lights and heater fan on high you should have over 13v at idle, Ideally 13.4v-14.5v on a good system.

**pat mcgroin** · 05-10-2009, 07:17 AM

Also make sure that the battery terminals are clean and tight.
That can cause charging problems.

**mack1** · 05-10-2009, 08:22 AM

Hi Pat and welcome to TSF,

I like both Wrench and overlandtounder's ideas, but that the lights still worked after the engine and stereo died makes me think that maybe you have loose or corroded ground connection. Headlights normally ground at the lights up front and that seemed to be OK. Sometimes, the ground lead at the battery forks and one goes to the chassis and the larger one goes to the engine block. If your's is like that, check the connection at the engine. Disconnect it and sand the rust off both the terminal and the block. It is also normal to have another ground strap from the engine to the firewall or fender. Check this one also. On some vehicles, under the driver's side at the door there is a strap that connects the frame to the body. Make sure all these are clean and tight.

Hope you find the problem.

Best regards,
mack1

overlandtounder · 05-11-2009, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlandtounder

Im driving a 20 year old Nissan Skyline which lost power randomly recently. We were driving along and my stereo started flashing and then died. Shortly after the engine cut out but the lights still worked. Tried to start it and it made a ticking noise and wouldn't turn over. Next day it started up no probs we drove took it for a 10 minute drive where it sat for about 2 hours and then another 10 minute drive and it lost power again and the engine died and the ticking noise was back.

A new igniton was fitted on 25th March 09. The alternator got wet on the 20th April and the power cut off started just recently. I wonder if the alternators not charinging the battery? Can getting it wet shorten it out? Apparently all the bearings etc are all good in the alt? Maybe its something to do with the igntiion?

Going to take the battery to be tested tomorrow any other chat would be useful

Took the battery in, its flat as a tack. Did the vol test on it and its running low, when reved the engine it still ran low. When we turned on the lights the battery voltage dipped. Currently being charged up and will look into everyones suggestions. The battery guy reckons the alternator might not be charging it? Will investigate. Can getting water all over your alternator shorten it out? (the alternator got soaked when changing the radiator the other day).

**mack1** · 05-11-2009, 05:57 AM

You can take the alternator in to an Auto Zone and they will test it for free. Other parts houses may do the same. If it tests good, then the problem will be in the signal from the ignition switch to the alternator. Unlike generators of old, alternators require a voltage before they will work. Let us know what you find.

Alternators will usually take a lot of moisture without failure. A soaking might be a different story.

Best regards,
Mack1

**wrench97** · 05-11-2009, 11:45 AM

Antifreeze can damage a alternator, I've changed a few that were soaked after a blown hose or radiator seam.

overlandtounder · 05-12-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlandtounder

Took the battery in, its flat as a tack. Did the vol test on it and its running low, when reved the engine it still ran low. When we turned on the lights the battery voltage dipped. Currently being charged up and will look into everyones suggestions. The battery guy reckons the alternator might not be charging it? Will investigate. Can getting water all over your alternator shorten it out? (the alternator got soaked when changing the radiator the other day).

Problem solved the plug had fallen out the back of the alternator...... which is why the battery wasn't charging and loosing power........ doh!

**mack1** · 05-12-2009, 07:47 AM

Glad you found a simple solution.

Have a nice day.

05-10-2009, 03:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
overlandtounder Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: unsure	Car looses power Im driving a 20 year old Nissan Skyline which lost power randomly recently. We were driving along and my stereo started flashing and then died. Shortly after the engine cut out but the lights still worked. Tried to start it and it made a ticking noise and wouldn't turn over. Next day it started up no probs we drove took it for a 10 minute drive where it sat for about 2 hours and then another 10 minute drive and it lost power again and the engine died and the ticking noise was back. A new igniton was fitted on 25th March 09. The alternator got wet on the 20th April and the power cut off started just recently. I wonder if the alternators not charinging the battery? Can getting it wet shorten it out? Apparently all the bearings etc are all good in the alt? Maybe its something to do with the igntiion? Going to take the battery to be tested tomorrow any other chat would be useful

05-10-2009, 03:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,378 OS: Win7	Re: Car looses power Battery sounds good, Sounds like it is not charging to me do you have access to a volt meter to check the voltage? Or does it have a voltmeter in the dash? Running with the lights and heater fan on high you should have over 13v at idle, Ideally 13.4v-14.5v on a good system. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

05-10-2009, 07:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
pat mcgroin TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toledo Oh. Posts: 555 OS: XP Professional SP2 Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: Car looses power Also make sure that the battery terminals are clean and tight. That can cause charging problems.

05-10-2009, 08:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
mack1 TSF Articles Team Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texarkana, Texas Posts: 1,245 OS: xp sp3 My System	Re: Car looses power Hi Pat and welcome to TSF, I like both Wrench and overlandtounder's ideas, but that the lights still worked after the engine and stereo died makes me think that maybe you have loose or corroded ground connection. Headlights normally ground at the lights up front and that seemed to be OK. Sometimes, the ground lead at the battery forks and one goes to the chassis and the larger one goes to the engine block. If your's is like that, check the connection at the engine. Disconnect it and sand the rust off both the terminal and the block. It is also normal to have another ground strap from the engine to the firewall or fender. Check this one also. On some vehicles, under the driver's side at the door there is a strap that connects the frame to the body. Make sure all these are clean and tight. Hope you find the problem. Best regards, mack1 __________________ "If you like yourself others will like you also" me "Don't drink downstream from the herd" Will Rogers Submit New Articles Here Last edited by mack1; 05-10-2009 at 08:24 AM.

05-11-2009, 05:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
mack1 TSF Articles Team Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texarkana, Texas Posts: 1,245 OS: xp sp3 My System	Re: Car looses power You can take the alternator in to an Auto Zone and they will test it for free. Other parts houses may do the same. If it tests good, then the problem will be in the signal from the ignition switch to the alternator. Unlike generators of old, alternators require a voltage before they will work. Let us know what you find. Alternators will usually take a lot of moisture without failure. A soaking might be a different story. Best regards, Mack1 __________________ "If you like yourself others will like you also" me "Don't drink downstream from the herd" Will Rogers Submit New Articles Here

05-11-2009, 11:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,378 OS: Win7	Re: Car looses power Antifreeze can damage a alternator, I've changed a few that were soaked after a blown hose or radiator seam. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

05-12-2009, 07:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
mack1 TSF Articles Team Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texarkana, Texas Posts: 1,245 OS: xp sp3 My System	Re: Car looses power Glad you found a simple solution. Have a nice day. __________________ "If you like yourself others will like you also" me "Don't drink downstream from the herd" Will Rogers Submit New Articles Here