cptarmy2002

1988 4.9L 4x4 F150: Battery won't turn over after hot; changed battery and alternator. Now it seems to be overcharging at 16V and after running for 30 minutes when I shut it off it acts like it's a dead battery when I try and start it. Wait 30 minutes until it cools and it starts right up. I'm concerned with the 16V charging ruining the new battery. Could it be starter solenoid that is stuck open or maybe a bad starter that acts up after getting too hot? I thought I had this problem licked when I changed the alternator and saw the needle near the middle of the gauge cluster when before it would slowly drop into the red.

Thanks
Frank

olzuzurodeo

My advice is too check it with a voltmeter then get back with us ! Never trust the guage.

cptarmy2002

That was with a voltmeter...15.4v-15.95v or so volts bouncing around with the engine running and parked after a 60 minute drive...I then turned it off and tried to immediately start it again and it sloooow cranked as if the battery was just about dead.

cptarmy2002

Figured it out!!! It was the starter cable...very old and brittle and routed too close to the header by the previous owner...it was all melted and the wires were exposed.

I replaced it with a shielded one from NAPA and turned the connection at the starter 90 degrees away and it now charges at 14.7V and started right up after a long hot drive.

Thanks for all the support...
Frank