[rkm19]

WHAT SHOULD I CHECK

 

[Sprinter]

Use a multi-meter(OHM's, Volts, Amps meter) set to 30 volts(scale higher than 12 volts). Black on negitive red on positive of battery. You should have 14-14.5 volts with motor running. This is a starting point. You should give more details, year, set up, exc.

------------------
Tom Donaldson
71' GMC Sprint

 

[ChaosMalibu]

Sounds to me like it's the alternator..
Maybe it's not good. check it.

I had the same problem in my mom's car.
The alternator was connected and acting as if it's working..
But it was not charging the battery.

I would most likely blame the alternator.

------------------
Shai

1972 Chevelle Malibu custom 4dr
Restoration started: February 10th 2001
TC member #1278

[This message has been edited by ChaosMalibu (edited 01-14-2002).]

 

[Big Block Dave]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ChaosMalibu:
I would definitely change the alternator.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Whooooa! Hold on there moneybags....

There is a little more to the charging system then just the alternator and the battery.

I dont think its fair to tell him to go and dump $60 when we dont know for a FACT that his alternator is bad.

How old is the battery?

How old is the REGULATOR?

How old is all the wiring?

What is the condition of the terminals and terminal wiring connections?

Check all grounds

Is the belt slipping

How old is that Alt?

and do the diagnostic check as suggested by sprinter.

 

[ChaosMalibu]

I just told him to check it..

An alternator costs $60 there???
Wow.. I guess we do have cheap stuff here..
A new alternator costs here about $10...
That's the only cheap part..

{edit:} i changed the line.
------------------
Shai

1972 Chevelle Malibu custom 4dr
Restoration started: February 10th 2001
TC member #1278

[This message has been edited by ChaosMalibu (edited 01-14-2002).]

 

[charbilly2001]

after you get done checking the alternator go to yout parts store and get one of those "specific gravity" checkers and see if one of the cells has less specific gravity that the rest. A good battery has more or less identical specific gravity across all six cells. One lo cell pretty much condems the battery. Lo specific gravity is a sign of that cells inability to store electricity.

 

[rkm19]

My car is a 66 chevelle ss. Still only have a little over 12 volts at the battery while car is running. Battery is 2 years old, all new wiring harness.Alternator 3 months old,voltage regulator 1 day old

 

[Mike69Chevelle]

You should have 14 volts charging. Does the voltage increase when you rev the engine? If so it's probably the regulator. if not then I would pull the alternator and have it checked. Make sure everything is hooked up and CLEAN. Dirt can cause all kinds of problems.

 

[rkm19]

would you recommend pulling off positive battery cable while car is running. I heard if you do this and the car shuts off then the alternator is bad

 

[rusty66]

There has been a post about that some time ago. Can't find it now. Many said not to. I too have always heard not to pull the battery cable when the engine is running. The rectifier needs the battery as a capacitor.

As for measuring something: I wrote earlier http://www.chevelles.com/forum/Forum22/HTML/001037.html

You said you just replaced the regulator. Just as a last resort or ... ?

Rob

 

[rkm19]

Every thing else was fairly new except regulator so i thought i would replace that

 

[John_Muha]

I get lost but nothing usual for me. If you have not changed out your regulator, that might a thing to try. I don't know where you live because no city is posted. Anyway, if there is an AutoZone around pick up a Wells #715 solid state regulator. Ground the frame of that regulator to the firewall with a jumper wire or a bolt. The regulator case must be grounded.
If you have changed out the regulator with a new one, It's time to break out the meter and take some measurements. Expensive to replace good parts with good parts.

 

[rkm19]

What other kind of measurements

 

[John_Muha]

Got a meter? Measure between the white or light colored wire, on the alternator plug, and frame ground. Should see greater than 7 volts.

 

[Greg P]

Part of what charbilly2001 said: "go to your parts store." Drive your '66 there and have them check your charging system for you. They should have a meter that will check the system in your car and tell you if the problem is your battery or your charging sysem. If its the charging system, they can usually pinpont the part that is not working correctly.

Greg

 

[rkm19]

When i check the white wire on alternator plug should car be running

 

[ChaosMalibu]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rkm19:
When i check the white wire on alternator plug should car be running<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Umm.. yes.
When the car is running, It's charging the battery. Only then you can check.

------------------
Shai

1972 Chevelle Malibu custom 4dr
Restoration started: February 10th 2001
TC member #1278

 

[rkm19]

I checked both wires on the alternator plug. The blue wire has 10 volts the white wire has no volts.

 

[John_Muha]

Hey, you are getting there. Was this with the car running? I would have expected the blue wire to be a little higher. If it was with the car running get the alternator checked. Voltage out of the white relay line is not switching the relay in the regulator.

 

[rkm19]

yes this was with the car running.i took the alternator to the local pep boys and they said it checked out ok, but i was looking at the guage while they were doing it and it was only reading alittle over 12