The Ford Barn

loubob · 10-21-2018, 07:33 PM

Washed car in driveway Friday.
Dried car off with a leaf blower.
Drove back into garage.
Decided to test headlights as I recently installed 50/32 bulbs.
With engine running tried low & high beams. Ammeter showed significant discharge with each. Lights off ammeter still showed discharge. Tried again with same results.
Turned car off. Waited about 1-2 minutes and restarted car.
Tried lights and ammeter showed normal charge. Same with lights off.
I run an alternator otherwise all is original.
What could have caused this to happen?
Thanks.

rfitzpatrick · 10-21-2018, 07:49 PM

"Dried Car Off With A Leaf Blower" ???
Actually, I like that -

40 Deluxe · 10-21-2018, 08:29 PM

Water in the headlight switch, wiring, etc.?

30 Closed Cab PU · 10-21-2018, 08:47 PM

How much current, same as with headlights on or did the amps drop some with the lights off?

katy · 10-22-2018, 08:53 AM

Is the ammeter needle sticking?

30 Closed Cab PU · 10-22-2018, 09:21 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If it was a small current, perhaps stop lamp was stuck on? If happens again look at the lamp or manually pull the brake pedal back.

Bill G · 10-22-2018, 09:48 AM

If its a self exciting alternator, you do have to rev the engine up for a second when you first start the car to get the alternator to kick in. After it does it should continue to charge even at an idle.

Badpuppy · 10-22-2018, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magicbox51

If its a self exciting alternator, you do have to rev the engine up for a second when you first start the car to get the alternator to kick in. After it does it should continue to charge even at an idle.

Most likely explanation, I'd say.

Bruce_MO · 10-22-2018, 02:16 PM

I agree with Katy... my ammeter will stick occasionally when I turn lights on. Just tap the dash firmly and it frees up.

loubob · 10-22-2018, 06:32 PM

Ammeter not sticking.
I did not think to check the headlight current.
Leaf blower does an excellent job of getting the water out of tight spaces.
Appreciate all the replies.
Thanks!

10-21-2018, 07:33 PM	#1
loubob Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 264	Strange Electrical Occurence Washed car in driveway Friday. Dried car off with a leaf blower. Drove back into garage. Decided to test headlights as I recently installed 50/32 bulbs. With engine running tried low & high beams. Ammeter showed significant discharge with each. Lights off ammeter still showed discharge. Tried again with same results. Turned car off. Waited about 1-2 minutes and restarted car. Tried lights and ammeter showed normal charge. Same with lights off. I run an alternator otherwise all is original. What could have caused this to happen? Thanks.

10-21-2018, 07:49 PM	#2
rfitzpatrick Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Coral Springs, Florida Posts: 550	Re: Strange Electrical Occurence "Dried Car Off With A Leaf Blower" ??? Actually, I like that -

10-21-2018, 08:29 PM	#3
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,778	Re: Strange Electrical Occurence Water in the headlight switch, wiring, etc.?

10-21-2018, 08:47 PM	#4
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: Strange Electrical Occurence How much current, same as with headlights on or did the amps drop some with the lights off?

10-22-2018, 08:53 AM	#5
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,042	Re: Strange Electrical Occurence Is the ammeter needle sticking? __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

10-22-2018, 09:21 AM	#6
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: Strange Electrical Occurence Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If it was a small current, perhaps stop lamp was stuck on? If happens again look at the lamp or manually pull the brake pedal back.

10-22-2018, 09:48 AM	#7
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,045	Re: Strange Electrical Occurence If its a self exciting alternator, you do have to rev the engine up for a second when you first start the car to get the alternator to kick in. After it does it should continue to charge even at an idle. Last edited by Magicbox51; 10-22-2018 at 10:00 AM.

10-22-2018, 02:16 PM	#9
Bruce_MO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 432	Re: Strange Electrical Occurence I agree with Katy... my ammeter will stick occasionally when I turn lights on. Just tap the dash firmly and it frees up.

10-22-2018, 06:32 PM	#10
loubob Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 264	Re: Strange Electrical Occurence Ammeter not sticking. I did not think to check the headlight current. Leaf blower does an excellent job of getting the water out of tight spaces. Appreciate all the replies. Thanks!

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