How to fix a low battery voltage?

Shawnsac2000 · January 3rd, 2009, 09:52 PM

Hello, I just bought a 1993 Ford Mustang LX 2.3L i replaced the battery and the alternator. And the battery voltage meter on the dashboard is low, and the battery light is staying on. I took back the alternator to pep boy's to replace it and they checked my battery. They gave me another alternator i hooked it up and its still doing the same thing. If i turn on the head lights the battery voltage meter drops. What else could be causing this? Thanks!

1FUN4RD · January 3rd, 2009, 09:55 PM

A weak ground

03SonicBoom · January 3rd, 2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by 1FUN4RD

A weak ground

+1. Check to make sure your ground location is clean and the bolt is tight.

Shawnsac2000 · January 3rd, 2009, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by 1FUN4RD

A weak ground

On the battery?

1FUN4RD · January 3rd, 2009, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by Shawnsac2000

On the battery?

No, the other end of the cable. Also check the ground strap that goes from the engine to the frame.

Shawnsac2000 · January 3rd, 2009, 11:16 PM

I will check it out tomorrow, thanks!

Breakout · January 3rd, 2009, 11:18 PM

is there a lot of corrosion?

Shawnsac2000 · January 3rd, 2009, 11:25 PM

no

Shawnsac2000 · January 4th, 2009, 11:08 AM

I fixed it the green wire that connects to the starter relay was burnt, its running good now.

1FUN4RD · January 4th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Glad I could help

SpeedSicks · January 5th, 2009, 04:34 PM

glad to hear its running good, but for future reference the current could be affected even if the wires/connectors look clean (i.e. no corrosion).

but after a while, sometimes only a few months, a gray shiny layer can form between the terminal and the inside of the cable connector. i'm sure you've seen it before.
it can be very hard to notice cuz it looks normal, and not corroded! i suggest either wire brushing both peices every-other oil change, or sometime i've seen it bad enough that you need to scrape the layer of the connector away with a knife to restore full current.

it can extend battery life, alternator life, and save you from a no start/no charge issue. all cars can do it, but cars with more electronics tend to build up faster.

87MustangLX · February 1st, 2009, 08:47 AM

Hi everyone new member here my 87 Mustang is doing the same thing the voltage meter is fine until you cut on the heater and then the voltage drops almost to red when your putting on brakes could same thing be wrong with mine if so where is the starter relay on a 2.3 Mustang

bathmarm0t · May 26th, 2011, 12:34 AM

@speedsicks

would putting a dab of dielectric grease on the battery terminals help against the corrosion?

Cgross609 · May 26th, 2011, 12:47 AM

It sure would. A common practice at most/some dealers is to spray a layer of laquer or brand name "Fluid Film" which is basically just a type of non-evaporating lubricant, on the battery terminals/relay connections. It stops rust for quite a while surprisingly. Go to your local farm equipment store. They sell fluid film. Lol.

clash69 · May 26th, 2011, 10:06 PM

87 mustang starter relay on drivers wheel well, strut tower near battery all fox body 2.3 had weak charging systems that is why the upgrade to 3g 130amp alternators

zonker · May 28th, 2011, 01:20 AM

another item to check is the connectors at the alternator itself. loos or corroded connectors there will give bad alternator voltage outputs and could even start an electrical fire.

best bet is to clean them up well and then coat the connector with dilectric grease prior to plugging it into the alternator.

January 3rd, 2009, 09:52 PM	#1
Shawnsac2000 Newbie 1991 Mustang GT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 16 iTrader: 0 reviews	How to fix a low battery voltage? Hello, I just bought a 1993 Ford Mustang LX 2.3L i replaced the battery and the alternator. And the battery voltage meter on the dashboard is low, and the battery light is staying on. I took back the alternator to pep boy's to replace it and they checked my battery. They gave me another alternator i hooked it up and its still doing the same thing. If i turn on the head lights the battery voltage meter drops. What else could be causing this? Thanks!

January 3rd, 2009, 09:55 PM	#2
1FUN4RD MMs Ford Racing Nut Swinger 2007 MUSTANG GT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CENTRAL IOWA Posts: 4,367 iTrader: 3 reviews	A weak ground __________________ www.1fun4rd.blogspot.com

January 4th, 2009, 01:28 PM	#10
1FUN4RD MMs Ford Racing Nut Swinger 2007 MUSTANG GT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CENTRAL IOWA Posts: 4,367 iTrader: 3 reviews	Glad I could help __________________ www.1fun4rd.blogspot.com

January 5th, 2009, 04:34 PM	#11
SpeedSicks Newbie '79 2.5 Turbo Stang Coupe Working on it... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 45 iTrader: 0 reviews	glad to hear its running good, but for future reference the current could be affected even if the wires/connectors look clean (i.e. no corrosion). but after a while, sometimes only a few months, a gray shiny layer can form between the terminal and the inside of the cable connector. i'm sure you've seen it before. it can be very hard to notice cuz it looks normal, and not corroded! i suggest either wire brushing both peices every-other oil change, or sometime i've seen it bad enough that you need to scrape the layer of the connector away with a knife to restore full current. it can extend battery life, alternator life, and save you from a no start/no charge issue. all cars can do it, but cars with more electronics tend to build up faster. __________________ 1979 MUSTANG COUPE: 2.5T BLOWTHRU CARB

May 26th, 2011, 12:47 AM	#14
Cgross609 Regular 93 Mustang LX 2.3 T-5 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vegreville, AB Posts: 270 iTrader: 0 reviews	It sure would. A common practice at most/some dealers is to spray a layer of laquer or brand name "Fluid Film" which is basically just a type of non-evaporating lubricant, on the battery terminals/relay connections. It stops rust for quite a while surprisingly. Go to your local farm equipment store. They sell fluid film. Lol. __________________ 93 2.3l LX U.S. 15x7 ten hole rims Calypso green Moates QH T-5 Conversion Dual 2.5" Exhaust with Thrush Welded muffler

January 3rd, 2009, 11:16 PM	#6
Shawnsac2000 Newbie 1991 Mustang GT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 16 iTrader: 0 reviews	I will check it out tomorrow, thanks!

January 3rd, 2009, 11:18 PM	#7
Breakout Tree Fiddy Z 2006 Nissan 350Z Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,018 iTrader: 0 reviews	is there a lot of corrosion?

January 3rd, 2009, 11:25 PM	#8
Shawnsac2000 Newbie 1991 Mustang GT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 16 iTrader: 0 reviews	no

January 4th, 2009, 11:08 AM	#9
Shawnsac2000 Newbie 1991 Mustang GT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 16 iTrader: 0 reviews	I fixed it the green wire that connects to the starter relay was burnt, its running good now.

February 1st, 2009, 08:47 AM	#12
87MustangLX Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2 iTrader: 0 reviews	Hi everyone new member here my 87 Mustang is doing the same thing the voltage meter is fine until you cut on the heater and then the voltage drops almost to red when your putting on brakes could same thing be wrong with mine if so where is the starter relay on a 2.3 Mustang

May 26th, 2011, 12:34 AM	#13
bathmarm0t Look Ma! My First Post! Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1 iTrader: 0 reviews	@speedsicks would putting a dab of dielectric grease on the battery terminals help against the corrosion?

May 26th, 2011, 10:06 PM	#15
clash69 Newbie 88 vert 2.3t verbo Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: dirty jersey Posts: 33 iTrader: 0 reviews	87 mustang starter relay on drivers wheel well, strut tower near battery all fox body 2.3 had weak charging systems that is why the upgrade to 3g 130amp alternators

May 28th, 2011, 01:20 AM	#16
zonker Enthusiast 1991 Mustang LX 2.3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 660 iTrader: 0 reviews	another item to check is the connectors at the alternator itself. loos or corroded connectors there will give bad alternator voltage outputs and could even start an electrical fire. best bet is to clean them up well and then coat the connector with dilectric grease prior to plugging it into the alternator. __________________ Rob 1987 Mustang 2.3 LX Convert (T5) project 2.5 N/A HP 1991 Mustang 2.3 LX Convert (A4LD) 1992 Mustang 2.3 LX Convert (A4LD) 41.52 mpg!! 1994 Capri XR2 1.6 Turbo Convert 1999 ZX2 S/R 2.0 Coupe http://zxtuner.com

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