1989 mallard sprinter 454 w/62000 miles

Asked by Rob197832 Nov 15, 2017 at 10:28 AM about the 1990 Chevrolet R/V 3500

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I bought this t.v. a few weeks ago and lets
just say the seller is a major bullshitter. I left
with the t.v. that for the past 3 times I was
there had a low battery issue and it wouldn't
start. On my 4th visit after I was told it was
running fine I bought it, put 30 gallons of
gas in it and left. I got maybe 10 miles away
and after climbing a short hill the motor
skipped alitlle a few times and died. No
power, no spark, no battery power at all,
nothing! Cost me $600 to tow it to a storage
place and $300 to them till April 1st. I have
no idea where to start and I was told they
had just come back from Alabama and it ran
fine. I bought it in Mass, the previous owner
won't answer my texts so I know she knew
something with it and was a very good liar.
Anyone give me an idea where to start? This
was going to be my home as I am homeless
but now its just another useless chunk of
steel.

4 Answers
22,215

Gary answered 7 years ago

Sounds like you need to start with the battery and charging system. The battery should be charged and load tested. Most auto parts stores or repair shops can test the battery. If the battery tests good, then it's time to check the alternator. A volt meter on the battery is a quick test. Voltage should be about 12 volts with the engine stopped; should be 13.2 - 13.5 with the engine running. If the battery is good, and the alternator is good, something in the vehicle is drawing power from the battery.

2 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

Rob197832 answered 7 years ago

Thank you. It does have battery issues and I was thinking alternator or generator whichever it has cause wouldn't it still run on bad batteries after starting if the alternator was good?

Mark helpful
22,215

Gary answered 7 years ago

You are correct. If the alternator is charging properly when the engine is running, the engine should run until you turn off the engine.

Mark helpful

Rob197832 answered 7 years ago

I was at my rv today to try to start it jumping it off my car. I hooked it up pos to the ground cable and nothing, no lights,nothing. I tried to ground it on the chassie, still not any power to anything inside. One thing that did work was I hit the generator button and the generator started! I wasn't there for that but happy that worked and the inside lights and water pumps worked but nothing to do with the drivers compartment nor the engine. I'm still stumped!

Mark helpful

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