Battery drain and engine stalling

grntrdbx · Post by **grntrdbx** » 31 Oct 2017, 05:33

I checked out a '97' 850 R wagon yesterday that needed work, and would like to get some input on the main issue with it. The engine fires up with a jump, runs for about 2 minutes, then struggles to stay running and dies. The owner said that with a full charge on the battery, it drains it and won't restart. He hooked up jumper cables to it and jumped it twice for me and it repeated the same running, then struggling to stay running and dying scenario. Before the ignition is turned to crank it over, most if not all of the warning lights on the bottom of the cluster are on too. The car is definitely worth saving. It also has an older IPD tune on it. The owner said before this issue that sidelined it, he used it as his daily driver. I'm not exactly sure, but I have a feeling it may be pointing to a bad voltage regulator or the alternator. If it wasn't a 1-1/2 to 2 hr drive away, I would spend more time checking it out and investigate it further. Any Ideas? I was short on time, otherwise I would have checked the fuel rail for fuel pressure and looked at all of the ground wires. Thanks.

Post by **abscate** » 31 Oct 2017, 07:02

I doubt the battery drain issue is causing the stall - there are probably engine management issues with either fuel or ignition circuits.

If it will crank,a compression test is the first order of business

I would set a budget of 3k to make this a daily driver, for parts and 25% paid, 75% unpaid labor.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 31 Oct 2017, 08:24

Severe charging system issues could display these symptoms.
As a primary system, I'd start there. Probably with a meter on
the main positive post and watch how fast the voltage drops,
in off, static with the key on and running conditions.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 01 Nov 2017, 20:33

Have the guy fully charge the battery. With a full battery I ran over an hour with a failed alternator.

Post by **scot850** » 01 Nov 2017, 20:37

If you can get it running long enough if there is an Autozone they may be able to check the charging system for you for free. Make sure you check they have the equipment and it is working first! Otherwise you can buy a charging system tester for not too much money probably at Harbor Freight (I got one up here at Princess Auto our kind of equivalent for about $50 on sale).

Neil.