HELP!! Major Electrical problem!!

El_Diablo · Jun 17, 2008

Hi guys, i need your help... i have a 95 with a vortech v1.... recently ive been having some serious electrical problems and it all started when i had a battery light come on after a wide open run.... shortly after that (a couple of days) the issue got worse and worse until it eventually died on my and wouldn't start again.... well so far ive replaced the alternator and battery and no cure to the problem as of yet... funny thing is that the alternator is wire up through this lil box.....

so the first question is what is it? second would be why is it there and crap-tastically wired into my alternator..... whats weird is that shortly before it got really bad my fuel pressure and boost gauge went out??? right before this i put on MSD wires, cap and rotor and NGK iridium plugs gaped at .030 but that shouldnt have anything to do with it??? im stumped... the only thing i can think of is a vacume leak could cause it to run rough but not throw the battery light?

sorry if you cant understand this to well im about to go to sleep after a 20+ hour day so it may not be the best post

thanks in advance!!

-John

95 svt cobra · Jun 17, 2008

that almost looks like some kind of transistor/transformer, maybe you are drawing to much current? try tracing the wiring from that box to wherever it goes and see wtf it is. If its wired up its either there for a reason or its something that dont need to be there. I know on my 95 i dont have one so you prolly dont need it. But dont take my advice litterally

Blck945.0 · Jun 17, 2008

Hey someone local, lol. I only about 30 mins from Wadsworth. Where exactly is it located and where do the wires go? It kinda looks like an old external voltage regulator. Does it say anything on the front of the cover?

CC'S95GT · Jun 18, 2008

it could be some other relay to say your fuel pump or some other high current device

Paul · Jun 18, 2008

Blck945.0 said:
Hey someone local, lol. I only about 30 mins from Wadsworth. Where exactly is it located and where do the wires go? It kinda looks like an old external voltage regulator. Does it say anything on the front of the cover?

+1 I'm assuming this is not a 94-95 mustang?

El_Diablo · Jun 18, 2008

its on a 95... look and see :dancing6: :coolsmiley:

excuse the dirt, it drives me nuts (not the best pictures either) :wall:

Vortech V1 High Output S/C
Edelbrock Upper & Lower Intakes
MSD Wires, Cap & Rotor
NGK Iridium Plugs (0.030 Gap)
Hooker Headers
Cat Delete Mid-Pipe
Performance Rebuilt AODE Transmission
B&M Hammer Slap Shifter
275/35/18's Up Front
295/35/18's In The Rear

i only have a short lil mod list but you get the idea... i did leave a little out, lol

but anyways, i believe its an older style voltage regulator? it was used with my alternator..... until about an hour ago

now my only problem is i think i fouled some of my new plugs

El_Diablo · Jun 18, 2008

looks like i have worse issues now, i think i blew a head gasket :crying:

so what would be the best fully streetable head gaskets for forced induction use with stock internals and heads??

Paul · Jun 19, 2008

Cometic or other MLS gasket.

I didn't know the 94-95 GTs came with external voltage regulators??? So how did you fix it?

El_Diablo · Jun 19, 2008

they didn't... it was rigged up, i just reverted it back to the original 94-95 wiring, a lil cutting and splicing and all was good, so far ive rewired a bit of this car

im assuming this is the regulator from an older (93 and older??) mustang....

other MLS? i like the cometics but where to order from? summit is local for me but they dont seem to have them, i was also wondering if maybe i should shim or get a thicker compressed height gasket to lower the compression and for the material lost when i have the heads machined?

Paul · Jun 20, 2008

MLS = multi-layer-steel

Fel-Pro has MLS gaskets too. If you just have the heads "cleaned up" they won't (or shouldn't) take too much off the deck. A thicker gasket is likely unnecessary.

Paul.

El_Diablo · Jun 20, 2008

actually, MLS is typically the label for multi layer sandwhich, not steel... i used to be a parts guy, not trying to be a jerk just a lil FYI :thumb:

the reason for wanting a thicker head gasket is to drop compression more than to make up for the clearance

ryclef331 · Jun 20, 2008

El_Diablo said:
actually, MLS is typically the label for multi layer sandwhich, not steel... i used to be a parts guy, not trying to be a jerk just a lil FYI :thumb:

the reason for wanting a thicker head gasket is to drop compression more than to make up for the clearance

Where at? Autozone? it stands for muli-layered steel

...and the reason for a thicker gasket is to compensate for clearances. YES, you can drop compression by adding a thicker gasket however, you also sacrifice your quench area....in other words, the combustion process isn't contrain in the combustion chamber upon initiation like it should be. Look at the shape of most chambers on a cylinder head, they're not round. THey have a flat spot. That flat portion is designed to meet up as close as possible with the flat portion of a piston to push the intake charge into the chamber area. That distance between the piston face and cylinder is called your quench area. You add thicker gaskets and you will lose power not only b/c of a loss of compression but b/c of poor quench area. It can cause hot spots as well and that will in turn cause detonation. Thicker head gaskets are a band-aid way to bump compression.

...but hey...Welcome to the site!

95 svt cobra · Jun 20, 2008

has anyone heard of "chevroning" for a type of gasket sealing? ive heard that this is the most pefect way of sealing anything, minus that its all but permanent and expesive.

ryclef331 · Jun 21, 2008

95 svt cobra said:
has anyone heard of "chevroning" for a type of gasket sealing? ive heard that this is the most pefect way of sealing anything, minus that its all but permanent and expesive.

Haven't heard of it but i'll tell you this. If you use studs and mls gaskets...and you can blow the head gasket BEFORE you grenade the motor, you've accomplished something. I have even REUSED a set of cometics THREE TIMES with ZERO problems. I didn't put them back on the fourth b/c I felt I pressed my luck enough. Take'em off, wash in hot soapy water, dry'em, hose them down with copper spray sealant, throw them on wet, and tq them down.

95 svt cobra · Jun 21, 2008

I want to go to studs, i was going to do it when i had my head worked last spring but i just wanted to get all my stuff quickly from summit and i bought a FRPP top end kit that came with head bolts and all the gaskets. if i do wind up blowing a head gasket that will DEF be what i do with some cometics.

El_Diablo · Jun 24, 2008

autozone?? trying to take a cheap shot or something? :rollinglaugh:

i know what a thicker gasket is for and what it will do but sometimes its nice to have inexpensive fixes when this is just your daily driver... a lower c/r means a safety net in this situation :thumb:

oh, BTW, bought the studs and a ton of other stuff but thats for another thread :coolsmiley:

Addermk2 · Jun 24, 2008

El_Diablo said:
autozone?? trying to take a cheap shot or something? :rollinglaugh:

just referring to your complete lack of knowledge...

Coming onto this forum and telling Paul that he's wrong... is a good way to get your dick slammed in a door.

Don't be "that guy"

Mr. OAM · Jun 27, 2008

When I saw that picture the first thing I thought was "voltage regulator," but your car is too new for that. Looks like some previous owner did some real jerry rigging.

Steve

El_Diablo · Jun 28, 2008

i wasnt telling him he was wrong, go ask dodge about some of their gaskets and see what answer you get... mls to them and many others is multi lawer sandwhich, stupid name i know but hey, who cares? it really is either way if you think about it but go ahead and get all pissy

i dont know about paul but i know my own work history and ive done a ton of different automotive jobs, everything from running my own custom aerodynamic parts business (no longer due to price and lack of time and demand of high quality parts for that price) to building race engines at a speed shop back in pittsburgh to many other jobs ive done, currently i work at a chevrolet and buick dealership, if you want to doubt me go ahead, but i know my abilities and knowledge so you wont hurt my feelings one bit :thumb:

Steve- Yes, i would have to say that the wiring on this car is the worst thing about it. Ive clean up a lot and im still working on it, hopefully when i tear into the engine i'll have time to fix a bit more. Wish me luck!!

Addermk2 · Jun 29, 2008

Last time I checked... this was a Mustang forum.... a FORD forum!

I don't give a rats ass WHAT dodge calls it...

What is MLS?
MLS stands for Multi-Layer Steel. MLS head gaskets are comprised of three layers of stainless steel. The outer layers are an embossed viton coated stainless steel providing a superior seal with excellent rebound characteristics and are corrosive resistant. MLS head gaskets reduce bore distortion and withstand extreme cylinder pressures.

http://www.cometic.com/faq.aspx#q7