bronco head lights quit and bronco is squealing @ high rpm

[gslack]

When I was switching gears and went into higher RPM range it made a noise like there was break dust but it couldnt have been the breaks, and almost simultaneously the headlights went out. but the break lights, and all the other electronic systems are fine.

I put a headlight relay switch on so that theyd not over heat due to the higher intensity on modern day head lamps, and I am wondering if that could have failed? in addition to that, i cross wired my battery when i was jumping my car and i was lucky the alternator didnt blow out but now im wondering if it finally did give out, or possibly the voltage regulator?

also its a 69, i dont know the history of the vehicle but is it possible that it could be time for a new clutch? and maybe the serpentine belt is loose and that is what happened and thatd explain the intense squealing at higher rpms and why the head lights were being weird.

anyhow, its about 11 o clock and im going to take a look at it tmrw, suggestions? thx!

[Justin]

Did the headlights go all the way out or just dim? Sounds like your belt may be slipping on the alternator. I'd check you tensioner and have the alternator and battery tested. Is the truck starting OK? I'm wondering if a weak battery is putting a heavy load on the alternator that isn't supplying enough power when the belt slips.

[Moab Mike]

It's possible the bearings are beginning to seize up in the alternator causing the belt to slip at higher RPM's.

[gslack]

yeah i realized it could be the bearings right after i posted, cus i went to go read about alternators in my shop manual. and they just went out, like they dimmed and went out. it was weird. but the battery couldnt be weak, i just bought it 5000 miles ago and its a brand new interstate battery. also the reason i bought it is cus the old one was, well, old and too small to meet the broncos power requirement.

im going to go to the store and get a voltemeter and test everything, and if its bad im going to put on a new alternator.

should i put on a new serpentine belt? i put one on about 6000 miles ago but could it slipping have damaged it?

[gslack]

and the aftermarket tach was dimming, sooo thatd make sense...

[gslack]

so i try to start it and the battery is dead, im thinking when i charged it when i last killed the battery it gave the car enough juice to keep going on battery power and the alternator has barelybeen working.

any ideas? but it said it was drawing current on the instrument cluster?

[hockeydad4-22]

I would pull the alt and have it tested, probably need to replace it. The battery is probably ok once properly charged, though I have had a bad alternator take down a good battery.


Good luck and keep us informed.

[cobshane]

I would pull the alt and have it tested, probably need to replace it. The battery is probably ok once properly charged, though I have had a bad alternator take down a good battery.


Good luck and keep us informed.

I would agree get the alt tested and charge the battery

[gslack]

wasnt the alt, but the alt was bad. so i replaced that and the voltage reg, belt was slik so i replaced that and i think the dimmer switch is bad so i will replace that too.

[gslack]

replaced the dimmer switch, voltage reg, alternator, no good.

[Moab Mike]

Is your engine factory or did you convert to newer engine (since you speak of a serpentine belt)?

If yes to the swap, is the harness spliced together? Could it be shorted anywhere?

Are there any devices that are not properly fused or not fused at all?

Is the wiring for the headlight relay routed safely where it hasn't chaffed and shorted? Have you checked continuity to ground on the headlight side of the relay and/or do you have proper voltage to the supply side of the relay?

With the new alternator, do you get close to 14.5 volts with the engine running? Could there be a short or load somewhere (anywhere) in the wiring that's causing the alternator to squeal because it's trying to overwork itself?

I could swing by your place tomorrow and help you figure this out if you'd like.

Mike
303-882-5043

[akaFrankCastle]

gslack, I'll give you a call and stop by tomorrow after work. I'm right down the road.

[gslack]

lol thanks yall but i got it. whatever happened caused the low beams to burn out.