I have a really huge problem & don't have no clue what is wrong. If somebody can help me out I would really gladly appreciate it!

First of all, I just recently bought myself a 1970 Chevelle w/ a pumped 350. Everything was going great until one day and my car would not start. I thought it was just a bad battery, so I bought a new battery & vroom! :D everything was okay again. 1 week later I try to start my car & it was dejavu all over again, guessing dead battery. :mad: One time I got my car to start by jump-starting it but as soon as I pressed the brake pedal, it died. and one time I even got it to go but after a few minutes the headlights started to dim and the car just died while in gear. I could hear the engine just starting to slow down and the lights starting to dim. I checked to see if there were any lights draining the battery, found none. My friends think I should by an alternator, but just want to make sure first before I spend $$$ on something I don't need. I wanna drive my car really really bad and this is the only thing stoping me from putting fresh rubber on new asphalt down the road. PLEASE! HELP! Thank you! Neil

I have a really huge problem & don't have no clue what is wrong. If somebody can help me out I would really gladly appreciate it!

First of all, I just recently bought myself a 1970 Chevelle w/ a pumped 350. Everything was going great until one day and my car would not start. I thought it was just a bad battery, so I bought a new battery & vroom! :D everything was okay again. 1 week later I try to start my car & it was dejavu all over again, guessing dead battery. :mad: One time I got my car to start by jump-starting it but as soon as I pressed the brake pedal, it died. and one time I even got it to go but after a few minutes the headlights started to dim and the car just died while in gear. I could hear the engine just starting to slow down and the lights starting to dim. I checked to see if there were any lights draining the battery, found none. My friends think I should by an alternator, but just want to make sure first before I spend $$$ on something I don't need. I wanna drive my car really really bad and this is the only thing stoping me from putting fresh rubber on new asphalt down the road. PLEASE! HELP! Thank you! Neiltake your alternator to autozone for a free output check.

Yep sounds like alternator - get it tested, and bring your checkbook because you'll probably need it.

alternator

i had same problem. just start ok but died when pushing brake pedal. replaced alternator and problem fixed. check battery too. when the alternator quite on mine it took out the battery too.

dude, u call that a "HUGE" problem, haha. man, be thankful, haha. that is nothing compared to 100 other things that could go wrong, haha.

try dropping a bolt down inside your block while you are changing intake manifolds, haha.

try stripping the head off a flexplate bolt with engine and trans in car, haha.

dude, u call that a "HUGE" problem, haha. man, be thankful, haha. that is nothing compared to 100 other things that could go wrong, haha.

try dropping a bolt down inside your block while you are changing intake manifolds, haha.

try stripping the head off a flexplate bolt with engine and trans in car, haha.

Jeez give the guy a break, there was a time that all of us would have probably considered this a huge problem. I've never met anyone that was born with the natural ability of diagnosing electical problems (no matter how small). If you don't know alot about the electrical (or at least the basics of electronics) I could see how it could be a stumper and be considered a huge problem. Everybody learns over time. If/when he ever has an issue like this again, I can well bet he will remember to think "Maybe the alternator is bad?".

As far as dropping a bolt in the block when swapping intakes - I agree that would REALLY be a pain.

Just raggin on a newbie, haha. You are right, he will look back at this post one day and laugh at his HUGE problem. Sometimes I go back and view my old posts..... man was I a dork, hahaha.

Take your car to a mechanic and have him check the alternator output. Easy to do-and if its bad-the electrical problem has gone south.

Or it could be a bad voltage regulator and the alternator is OK.

Yeah! I'm pretty bad when it comes to figuring out a problem with cars especially when it comes to electrical stuff :confused: , but once somebody tells me, it's more simple for me.

As for the alternator, I just bought myself a new one (60 amp) and was ready to install it until I realized that I needed a special tool to take out the pulley. My car has "billit racing" pulleys installed. A friend of mines said he has the tool, but he won't be in town until tomorrow. So until then, all I can do is clean my car for the 3rd straight day. You'll be amazed of how clean you can make your car become when your bored. Mines is starting to look brand new. Even more excited to drive my car now. Just wanna say thanks to all of you guyz for letting me know what's causing the problem. I'll let you know what happens when I get the new alternator in. Hopefully an VROOM! this time.:hurray:

Or it could be a bad voltage regulator and the alternator is OK.

Yeah, NVVhite Dean is right could be voltage regulator too. Hope you tested your old one before buying a new one. Regulators are cheap I think like 15-20 bucks.

Good luck.

It could also be a power draw somewhere else in the car. The easiest way to check for that is to disconnect the positive lead and put a test light between the positive terminal post and the battery cable. 9 times out of 10, the alternator is the culprit, but if this happens after you replace the alternator, check for a draw.

Voltage regulators are so cheap that its not even worth messing with. Just get a new one. I replaced mine years ago even though the one that was in it was working just fine. Saved it as an extra just in case.

Now would be the perfect time to upgrade to a newer style internal regulator alternator. I personally plan to use a single wire unit I have sitting here, its my personal preference even though there are some draw backs.

What are the draw backs to a 1-wire?

LK

What are the draw backs to a 1-wire?

LK
This explains it best
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml