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Chevelle in OZ

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have impoted a 1970 Chevelle SS into Australia and the car has been a pleasure for the last 2 years. It has a 396 BB engine with a turbo 200 trans, electronic ignition and external regulator.
My problem started a few weeks ago when the cd player would not play cd's correctly they would jump and play the same line in the song over and over. Time for a new cd unit.
Because I prefer the sound of the exhaust over music I did not spend a fortune on the head unit and as a mechanic I installed it myself.
Well all went well the first trip out but the second trip the next day the stereo stopped working. when at home after a little investigation I found that the new cd was trashed.

This time I bought a Pioneer unit for a lot more money and the same thing happened, First day out and no problems and then on the second trip it stopped working as well.
On further investigation I have found that the alternator was charging 15.4 volts and this is what was distroying the head units. I bought another OEM 5 pin external regulator and fitted the new regulator only to find that the alternator is now charging 16.2 volts. So finally this is the question what have I done wrong or where could my problem be. Any help is much appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Check the wiring between the regulator and the alternator. Specifically the blue and white leads. Make sure they are clean and fit well with NO breaks. Also check your battery as it may be toast and the alt/reg is trying to charge it and it has shorted internally. At the regulator, often the wiring leads push out of the connector. Although you plug it in, the leads do not engage the connector on the regulator.

Just some bad experiences over the years.
 
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#3 ·
Hi Vic.

I have seen some external regulators with an adjusting screw inside. If the cover has 2 screws holding it on, remove them & the cover. there may be a small plastic screw head that you can fine tune the output voltage. Where in Aus are you. I have a couple of spare internal reg alternators you can try if your close. Just finished fitting a later model chevy alternator to my 68 about an hour ago, so it will now charge at idle. Let me know if I can help.

Col.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
coldog said:
Hi Vic.

I have seen some external regulators with an adjusting screw inside. If the cover has 2 screws holding it on, remove them & the cover. there may be a small plastic screw head that you can fine tune the output voltage. Where in Aus are you. I have a couple of spare internal reg alternators you can try if your close. Just finished fitting a later model chevy alternator to my 68 about an hour ago, so it will now charge at idle. Let me know if I can help.

Col.
Click to expand...
Hello Col
I am in Perth Western Australia, The old regulator has adjusting screws but the new one I bought does not. I think the old regulator was not the problem and I might start chasing the wiring as that seems to be where the fault is.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
LevonH said:
Check the wiring between the regulator and the alternator. Specifically the blue and white leads. Make sure they are clean and fit well with NO breaks. Also check your battery as it may be toast and the alt/reg is trying to charge it and it has shorted internally. At the regulator, often the wiring leads push out of the connector. Although you plug it in, the leads do not engage the connector on the regulator.

Just some bad experiences over the years.
Click to expand...
Hi LevonH
I do not have any starting problems with the Chevelle it starts first time every time so I think the battery is good. So all I should look for is a bad connection or a lot of resistance in the wiring between the Alternator and regulator? There are 5 terminals, one is earth where do the other 4 go?"


1970 Chevelle running an easy 13.1 at 101 MPH.
 
#6 ·
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#7 ·
Hey Vic.

I am in the outer north west of Sydney. Not exactly close. On the regulator the wire will be:

F. Field terminal. from regulator to alternator. This determines the alternator output.

2. Is connected to the R terminal on the alternator. This will be a stator pick up so you should see half system voltage on this wire when the engine is running

3. Constant 12volt supply from fusible link. this is where the regulator senses the system voltage. (can also be an ignition supply on some models)

4. Warning light feed from regulator to dash.

Check with a voltmeter the voltage on terminal 3. while the alternator is charging. If it is much lower than the battery voltage you will most likely have a voltage drop or poor connection in the supply to that terminal.


Very similar to an early Holden wiring circuit if you can get a diagram.

Hope this helps.
 
#9 ·
coldog said:
Sorry Levon.

Must have been typing while you were. Im a bit slow:D
Click to expand...
I must have been tying while you were :D. MAybe it's a Time Zone thing as you were doing it yesterday ;).
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Good Morning all,

I have followed all the instructions and found that the radio condensor on the regulator has no continuity. The part number is 1964086 DR .5MF the question now is what is it there for. When I earth out the regulator I have 13.8 volts across the battery and when I take the earth of the volts start to climb very quickly.

So levon and Col just one more question do I need this or should I just make up an earth lead for the regulator? Thanks for all the help it is most appreciated.
Vic
 
#12 ·
Hi Vic.
The condensor is a noise suppressor for static noise with an AM radio..
The regulator should be grounded through its case to the sheet metal.Ensure it is clean and continuous. Also check your ground from the battery to the fender on the passenger side, Make sure it is there.
 
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#13 ·
Hi Vic.

Sounds like someone has connected the condensor incorrectly.

It should not be used to supply a ground to the regulator. It is used to stop radio interference which would be heard as a whinning noise while the alternator is charging.I would make an earth cable for the regulator and see how your radio sounds. You say you are using a Pioneer radio unit so you should be o.k. they are less likely to be effected by noise than the old style radios. If you think you need the condensor. Ground the base of it and connect the lead to terminal 3 on the regulator.

Good on you for sorting it out. How about some pics of the Beast now!!
 
#15 ·
Col, that is funny. And you have a 16 hour head start :D.

Hope it works OK for him.
 
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Discussion starter · #16 ·
Thanks Guys,
I will make up a earth lead for the regulator and buy another radio, The condensor was used to earth the regulator and when it failted it fried the radio head unit with 16+ volts of power.
Thanks again for the information it is much appreciated.
Vic
Chevelle in OZ
 
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Chevelle in OZ
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