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Something new for the "zero mile' list 200

Hi all,

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but haven't been online much lately. Anyhow, I recently rehabbed an '88 wagon. Did all the usual 0-mile things, refreshed all of the usual electrical trouble areas (plus some--I put in a whole new interior, so lots of grounds and connectors that normally don't get cleaned got cleaned). But no matter what I did there were occasional bouts of very poor running, sudden loss of power (like an electrical version of a plugged cat), random hesitations and burps, occasionally variable idle speed, random stalling but no trouble restarting. All sorts of weird things under totally variable conditions. Nothing that was at all replicable, nothing consistent, and it never once did anything weird in the driveway. It never stranded me, but it certainly wasn't our road car and my wife avoided driving it like the plague.

I finally replaced the negative battery cable and all has been swell since. I had cleaned the ends of it (twice of course!), but it was too far gone on the inside. It's been 6+ months and EVERY weird little problem has totally vanished. Now she runs like a 240 should, and battery cables are on my 0-mile or "once every 20 years" list. Hope it helps someone with all sorts of strange problems in the future.

--

'68 220; '88 & '92 245s; '98 XC 70








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    Something new for the "zero mile' list 200

    Ah yes, the battery ground wire failure can wreak random failures as well as permanent damage. I have had this happen twice and both times the diode plate in the alternator could not handle the load and failed partially. I recommend stopping by Advance Auto or a similar shop to have them test the alternator while it is in the car.

    The first alternator failure resulted in a 66% loss of output, the second resulted in a 33% loss of output.

    jorrell
    --
    92 245 291K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!








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    Something new for the "zero mile' list 200

    FYI I mentioned this before but some years back I went to a local source for batteries, recycling batteries, etc. and found I could get a HEAVIER gauge wire made to my specs. for less money than I could buy one. Plastic cap over terminal? Extra positive leads? A little longer to make install easier? Split ground wire to link several locations? All not a problem. Price was good, delivery 2 days. They made them for semis, forklifts, custom multiple battery setups, etc. I'll bet they have such a shop in your area. Only possible problem is a)you specify what you want, and b) on a true classic car any part "not factory" is likely to reduce points in judging.

    bmw john in indy / avon.








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    Something new for the "zero mile' list 200

    I'll file this in the back of the Brain.

    Actually.. I had this happen on my boat. The cables look great, visually. There was just green crappy copper in place of , well, copper in the Insulation. After I went to clean the connection AGAIN the wire fell limp in my grip.
    --
    '75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html







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