[DeTomaso] Not Starting-Check Battery

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/24/17 6 45 4, djenkins at vanguardtrailer.com writes:


> Most of the Pantera owners on this site probably know this but I am only
> modestly mechanically inclined. I went to start and instead had a loud
> clicking noise. My first thought was a bad starter relay but I had enough
> sense to check the battery which tested at 11.4V. The parts store manager
> told me the battery usually needs to be fully charged for the relay to
> engaged. Turns out he was right. I charged the battery and it started 
> fine.
> Since my generator light was not coming on I now assume I need a new 
> voltage
> regulator.
> 

>>>I wouldn't assume that at all!

First of all, how long had you allowed the car to sit since the last time 
you ran it?   Batteries will drain down over time, ESPECIALLY if they are 
left connected electrically.   If you haven't run the car for several months, 
and left the battery hooked up, it's not unexpected that it might be a bit 
weak, too weak to close the solenoid.   

When you charged the battery up, and the car started normally, did the 
ammeter displace to the charge side, indicating the charging system was feeding 
power back into the battery to replenish it?

How old is your battery?   They don't last forever, and if it's more than 
five years old, it wouldn't surprise me if it failed to hold a charge as well 
as it once did.

You can keep the car on a battery tender (fantastic idea) or disconnect it 
when not in use (fantastic idea), or a combination of the two (even more 
fantastic idea), and greatly extend its life.

I would almost guarantee that there's nothing wrong with your charging 
system, and instead you are suffering from a slightly aged battery combined with 
minor parasitic electrical losses due to it being left connected to the 
car.

Can you confirm that?

Mike
-------------- next part --------------
   In a message dated 7/24/17 6 45 4, djenkins at vanguardtrailer.com writes:

     Most of the Pantera owners on this site probably know this but I am
     only
     modestly mechanically inclined. I went to start and instead had a
     loud
     clicking noise. My first thought was a bad starter relay but I had
     enough
     sense to check the battery which tested at 11.4V. The parts store
     manager
     told me the battery usually needs to be fully charged for the relay
     to
     engaged. Turns out he was right. I charged the battery and it
     started fine.
     Since my generator light was not coming on I now assume I need a new
     voltage
     regulator.

   >>>I wouldn't assume that at all!
   First of all, how long had you allowed the car to sit since the last
   time you ran it?  Batteries will drain down over time, ESPECIALLY if
   they are left connected electrically.  If you haven't run the car for
   several months, and left the battery hooked up, it's not unexpected
   that it might be a bit weak, too weak to close the solenoid.
   When you charged the battery up, and the car started normally, did the
   ammeter displace to the charge side, indicating the charging system was
   feeding power back into the battery to replenish it?
   How old is your battery?  They don't last forever, and if it's more
   than five years old, it wouldn't surprise me if it failed to hold a
   charge as well as it once did.
   You can keep the car on a battery tender (fantastic idea) or disconnect
   it when not in use (fantastic idea), or a combination of the two (even
   more fantastic idea), and greatly extend its life.
   I would almost guarantee that there's nothing wrong with your charging
   system, and instead you are suffering from a slightly aged battery
   combined with minor parasitic electrical losses due to it being left
   connected to the car.
   Can you confirm that?
   Mike