5150mikey
+1y
I have a 1988 2.2L
So for the last week or so my truck has not been charging the battery. So I assume it's the alternator. I check it out and all 3 wires are broken off from the connectors into the white clips. I was like hell yes, fixed the connectors and ran right again.
About 2 days later same issue not charging the battery. So I take the alternator off and take it down to AutoZone. Tests good. Go back to the house and re install it. Charged the battery, seemed good for a day. So I decide maybe it is intermittent. I went and bought a brand new alternator change the battery for the red top out of my F-150 and was good to go again for a day.
Now I'm upset I charge the battery again and drive to O'Rileys this time where the test the alternator in the truck, It failed. Mind you this is the brand new one from the yesterday. I take it out they recharge the battery and than bench test the alternator. Test great. He proceeds to tell me the tester doesn't hook up the one single connector, so I go out to the truck trace the wire back to the Choke Heater. Re install the alternator leaving the choke heater unplugged and drive home. This time finally everything works, However I have a high idle. Got home finally adjusted the carb to run smooth and idle at about 750rpms.
But why would the choke heater cause the alternator to not work properly?
How can I fix it? I can't find just the choke heater any where.
I'm really not in the mood to buy a new carb just to replace it. Even upgrading to a weber seems unlogical as I am going to put in a 2JZ hopefully next winter.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Mike