Hello and thanks in advance... I'm inexperienced with electrical systems.
Patient facts:
1994 Isuzu Rodeo, 200,000 miles, 6 cylinder engine, 2wd, purchased by current owner for $900 in September 2015.
October 2016-After slamming my hood shut with needless force, I started the car and began driving, but I soon noticed that the dashboard voltmeter had dropped from its normal 13 volts to below 12 volts. I proceeded to hurry home before the battery died, as I assumed this meant that the alternator was no longer generating current.
On the way, as the voltmeter steadily dropped, several idiot lights came on (the brake warning light and two others which I don't remember). I continued driving.
About halfway home, I hit a pothole.
Eureka! The voltmeter jumped back to about 13 and the idiot lights all went out.
I did not investigate the matter further.
December 2016-Though I did not slam the hood again, the scenario repeated itself exactly, except that this time the battery drained down, the car stopped running, and I called a tow truck.
To me, it sounds like a loose wire, because of the jarring that initially caused the alternator to stop charging the battery, and the subsequent bump that seemed to fix the problem, but I am not sure about how to locate the broken connection. My dad suggested that the engine block ground strap might be loose, corroded, or severed, but I am not sure where it is located. I have been looking for an uninsulated, flat braided cable roughly 15 mm wide, but all have found is an insulated wire about 2 mm in diameter connecting the cylinder block to the sheetmetal on the North American passenger-side of the engine.
I really appreciate any ideas people have, and suggestions as to necessary tools and reference documents would be extremely useful. Thanks!
Patient facts:
1994 Isuzu Rodeo, 200,000 miles, 6 cylinder engine, 2wd, purchased by current owner for $900 in September 2015.
October 2016-After slamming my hood shut with needless force, I started the car and began driving, but I soon noticed that the dashboard voltmeter had dropped from its normal 13 volts to below 12 volts. I proceeded to hurry home before the battery died, as I assumed this meant that the alternator was no longer generating current.
On the way, as the voltmeter steadily dropped, several idiot lights came on (the brake warning light and two others which I don't remember). I continued driving.
About halfway home, I hit a pothole.
Eureka! The voltmeter jumped back to about 13 and the idiot lights all went out.
I did not investigate the matter further.
December 2016-Though I did not slam the hood again, the scenario repeated itself exactly, except that this time the battery drained down, the car stopped running, and I called a tow truck.
To me, it sounds like a loose wire, because of the jarring that initially caused the alternator to stop charging the battery, and the subsequent bump that seemed to fix the problem, but I am not sure about how to locate the broken connection. My dad suggested that the engine block ground strap might be loose, corroded, or severed, but I am not sure where it is located. I have been looking for an uninsulated, flat braided cable roughly 15 mm wide, but all have found is an insulated wire about 2 mm in diameter connecting the cylinder block to the sheetmetal on the North American passenger-side of the engine.
I really appreciate any ideas people have, and suggestions as to necessary tools and reference documents would be extremely useful. Thanks!