Re: Electric problem on 5000. Help needed ...

[rdh@genrad.com (Robert D. Houk)]

   Two nights ago I parked for about 10 minutes waiting. The car was fine
   before. When I cranked the engine to go, I heard a tick-tick-tick noise
   ...
   Now what's my problem ?
   Obviously it is not the relay. The sound it does is like going on and off
   many times a second.
   ...
   really quick. When I turn the engine off, I have 12.something V,then the
   fan kicks in to cool it. After the fan is off it drops down to 11.1 or 2. 
   Don't you think this is a lot ?

I'd say weak ("dead") battery. You should have 12.xx V until way way later.
Of course that is 12.xx volts at the battery; if you are measuring the
electrical system itself, all bets are off. (I think the offhand battery
test method is run/charge the battery; shut off engine/charger; run high-
beams for 30-seconds to minute, then measure voltage, should be 12.4 or
greater ?? not real sure of the decimal, but well over 12.0!). You should
also have 14+ volts while running (otherwise battery won't properly charge).
Over 15-16 volts and you run danger of burning out things.

The clicking is obviously the system switching on, starter/load drops
voltage, relays release, voltage rises, load increases, voltage drops,
relays release, ... usually it's the starter/solenoid you hear, going
CLICK CLICK CLICK, with the click click of mere relays lost in the noise...

					-RDH