Dead Eagle

[SpreadEagle]

Well I was at work and took the Eagle for a spin during a break and it died and would not start. Went out during lunch and got it to start for a second before dieing again. Fuel delivery/ maybe electrical if not a good spark.
Well during lunch went out to try and start it and the electrical literally died.. in the middle of cranking the motor I lost all electrical in the car. Lights went tout and key did nothing. Popped hood and wiggled wires no change. Called tow service and while on phone with them I notice the warning lights are lit but no dash lights or head lights.. I checked and I had them set to on.  Went to crank motor and the warning lights go off and it's dead again.. Getting a tow home after work at this point

Any suggestion on places to look? Fuse, Column key issue? This wasn't a battery going dead but an all out loss of electrical power.

[recomer]

Mine did exactly that, and it was dead battery due to alternator dieing...happened all of a sudden...dont overlook the simple stuff

[maddog]

i had something like that happen on both Eagles. on Eagle Eyes it was a bad battery cable and on Survivor it was a bad solenoid.

[SpreadEagle]

Battery charger says it's a bad battery. Question is for the difference in price would a series 78 battery fit? I'm at work again and didn't have a chance to check the space available if I ignore the battery pan.

[recomer]

Battery charger says it's a bad battery. Question is for the difference in price would a series 78 battery fit? I'm at work again and didn't have a chance to check the space available if I ignore the battery pan.

I've been trying to find a battery that matches specs for the factory Group 56 and havent found anything else thats 6 inches wide (thats the spec for a group 56).  If you find something else that fits the factory eagle tray, please post.

[eagleman]

Got my battery at autozone and it fit perfect in the tray. Reinstalled the battery hold down and bolt and was good to go. Battery has a red top and says duralast on it instead of being black but it did fit perfect.

[SpreadEagle]

But here in Kansas is a series 56 going to hold to me adding more lights and a bigger stereo? I was just thinking since I'm missing the retaining bolt for the battery that I can Fab a new tray for a bigger battery and have the security of the additional AMPs.

[eaglebeek]

For future reference I saw a Group 56 battery in the Sears catalog in its "Plus Start" line. I've heard they discontinued that size in the DieHard line. I purchased my last Eagle battery at O'Reilly's for roughly $100 U.S.

This website http://www.rtpnet.org/teaa/bcigroup.html shows standard sizes...in millimeters and inches... for just about every 6- and 12-volt automotive battery that's ever been used in North America.

But here in Kansas is a series 56 going to hold to me adding more lights and a bigger stereo? I was just thinking since I'm missing the retaining bolt for the battery that I can Fab a new tray for a bigger battery and have the security of the additional AMPs.

The battery's primary job is to start the engine...in any weather that you would expect to encounter where you live. For this purpose you need Cold Cranking Amps...CCA...and the more the better. CCAs are a function of the battery's internal construction. Kansas winters can be brutal, so one would look for a battery in the size needed that has the most CCAs.

For more lights and big stereos you need a bigger alternator. I believe the standard Eagle alternator is a 55-amp. It's questionable if that's enough for lots of lights and a big stereo. The Eagle alternator is a GM unit, and there are bigger such alternators from GM that will easily fit in the Eagle mounts. There are also other options, some of which need only one wire. You need an alternator with an internal regulator as the original Eagle setup did not regulate the voltage through the onboard computer.

[SpreadEagle]

Glad to have that information about the Alternator because that may be the next change after a battery. I'm looking at getting a series 78 I believe.. It's bigger by a bit but I can get over 700 CCA and it's about same price as a 56 series.

So if this battery is junk I'll get the bigger battery if it fits in the space and look at getting a stronger Alternator when the time comes..

Nice to have that Alternator information though..

[eaglebeek]

The Group 78...at 7-1/16 inches wide...will not clamp down in the original Eagle battery tray. However, it's a popular size and if you can fabricate a new tray or hold-down it will solve the availability problem of a Group 56 in the future.

If you go this route, please post pictures and a description of how you did it.

[SpreadEagle]

Will do I think it'd be a very worthwhile upgrade for many.

Just figured I'd mention here that the 34/78 is wildly available but may be over kill but lots of amps. Early Cherokee's and such had those batteries.. Trying to locate a tray in a yard and attach it to the eagle I think..
Parts store did a check and my old battery says good. Moving on to check ground and starter area.

But I will continue to look into the battery tray upgrade.
http://www.noco-usa.com/pdf/Noco-Catalog-Battery-Storage.pdf
They have some nice flat tray's that will hold the larger batteries..
I don't have 1 to look at to see how it connects and at work for another 30 min so not able to look at the tray of the eagle but will measure when home.

[eaglebeek]

I don't think our Eagle single-belt setup will turn an alternator bigger than 85 amp unless yours is a serpentine setup.

[recomer]

I don't think our Eagle single-belt setup will turn an alternator bigger than 85 amp unless yours is a serpentine setup.

My 83 (v-belts) turns the 100amp Powermaster Alternator without issues.

[SpreadEagle]

Just figured I'd mention that my Eagle's issue is probably not electrical at this point. I was looking at nodding a way to put a 34/78 battery into the engine bay. Only way to do that is to cut the radiator. Not going to happen from me. Take care all. I'll keep updating the project post. I ve been adding photos as I can.