the belts are slipping alot in my EB falcon, now the battery is flat and the car wont start.

my theory is that the alternator hasnt been running properly cause the belts have been slipping, therefore causing the battery to die.


it starteed last night on a jump start, then wont start this morning.

i was gonna get it serviced this week, so my i dea was to get it serviced, get them to fix the belts and hopefully that will fix the problem.

if it doesnt, im screwed cause ill no longer have enough money for a new battery. and if i get a new battery now, i wont have the money for a service.

so what does everyone think is the problem?

belts not running alternator properly or battery needs replacing?


thanks

first of all..... how tight is the alternator belt?

what interceptor said and also your Alt could be the problem or even the battery could be at fault

if its only that the alternator isnt charging, a jump start should still start it.
Next time u get it running, run a multi meter across the battery terminals and see what the charging voltage is..
should be between 12 and 14.5 volts.

also, see what charge the battery has in it with the ignition on. (9V+ should start the car), and see if the voltage dies in the a*** when u try to start it. if it does, it needs a new battery. If the alternator belt wasnt actually squeeling and the light wasnt on it isnt likely its entirely the cause.

the charge rate of your alt should be between 13.7 and 14.5 with your high beams on. 12v WILL NOT CHARGE YOUR BATTERY
the charge rate should never be over 14.5 volts, it will kill your battery

there should be over 11.0v charge in the battery most are around 12.7v
it should not drop below 9v when cranking the engine.

check the fluid level of your battery befor you start it next make sure the level is about 15-20mm below the top of the filler hole and covering all the plates.

then jump start it and check the idle charge, then turn your lights on high beam and bring the revs to about 2500rpm and check the charge rate.

make sure your battery terminals are clean and shinny same goes for the clamps.


EDIT: one more check is a voltage drop check between the alt and the battery.
with the car running put a multimeter across the charge cable. It's teh big on comming from the the back of the alt.
put the + probe on the pole where ithe cable is on the back of the alt and the - probe on the + side of the battery. the reading you get is the voltage drop. it should be no more then 0.05

thanks all, turns out my orignal theory was right.


had the racv come around, (why not, ive already paid for it) he tightened the belts, jump start, then used his fancy battery tester and it was A ok.


cars been running fine all today


thanks

gr8, did he tighten the tensioner? EB's are not automatic tensioning so you have to do it urself...5 second job and makes ur car a lot quieter!

also, the alternator tensioners tend to wear out, meaning you cannot keep the belt tight around the alternator.

a replacement bracket is (i think) still avaliable from ford, for about $16 or so.
if the belt tension loosens up again, it would be worth replacing.

Those belts need to be tight as they slip with any sign of slack..They are just big enough for the job...

Yep, the bracket is still available from ford, Ive got abrand new one in my boot. You have to remove the fan to fit it though, as one of the bolts is too long to come out with it on (fan or water pump pulley, cant remember which). The adjuster itself, the little nut with the notches in it, is no longer available from ford, and is what was causing me problems. With one from a wrecker I managed to get it tight on the stuffed bracket. After going through 4 alternator belts in a fortnight, I know what its like to have trouble Havent lost in in a few months now, so its all good.