[Shawn]

The other night my Dad was driving my Elky home and I noticed that the headlights were dim as well as the rest of the lights. One time when I was driving it the turn signals barely worked (like 1 blink every 4 seconds)so I had to shut everything else off to get them to blink. Also, the GEN light is always on but dim. If the battery go too low would she stall out? That would be a nightmare. Do you think it's the alternator (i do)?? Just need a second opinion. Thanks.

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1970 Chevy Custom El Camino aka Kaileigh
Green Mist & Silver w/Green Vinyl Top
350ci/300HP 4bbl & Factory Dual Exhaust
Non-SS with Factory Rallies!
TH-350 Automatic - 2.73 Posi Rear
My El Camino Home Page - www.dreamelectric.com

 

[66 bowtie]

Well here is my 2 cents or so.
How are the batt connections? coroted that will contrubut to dim lights. Also around here @ canadian tire they will check an altanator for free if you have it off the vehicle. Try calling a part store around you and see if they can provide a service like this. good luck

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OWNER OF 66 CHEVELLE MALIBU
Check out page dedicated to resto of my chevelle. still being made.
www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Shop/9801/
Team Chevelle # 424
Canadian Classics Chevelles and Beaumonts #393
Fav Quote: Second place is the first loser...

 

[Shawn]

The battery connections are ok- the ends were redone and they're clean but the lights are sometimes bright and sometimes they're dim (it depends when I charge the battery). There is also no ground straps. There's a wire running from a battery cable to the right fender but there's no strap running to the engine.

 

[72CHEVELLE]

I'd suspect either a bad diode in the alternator or possibly even a bad voltage regulator. One thing is for sure: you better get a ground strap on that engine or you may wind up with more problems than you bargained for!!

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Jeremy J. Bennett
Team Chevelle #298
www.chevelles.com/showroom/72CHEVELLE1.jpg

 

[gibbons]

Hey, sounds like deja vu. Same thing happened to me last summer, I went for a spin with my boy and by the time we got home, the signals didn't work and the lights were brown. I hoped for all the easy stuff, and then just replaced it with an internal regulator unit. Money well spent...no more dim lights at idle, flickering dash lights from mechanical voltage regulator contacts, etc. Replace it!

 

[lschevelle]

I have always heard... while the car is running, unhook the pos. terminal. If the car stays running, your alt. is ok. But if the car stalls.... replace it. Have tried this before and it works. Anyone else tried this?

 

[mrchet]

Sounds like an alternator problem. Go to Advance Auto or any of the auto parts stores like that and ask them to check your charging system. I just had them do it on my car today and found out the alternator wasn't working. If you pull the alternator and take it to them they can only check it to find out if it is putting out the correct amps & volts. That's why it's best to take them the whole car to be checked first. (easier too than taking the alt. off)
Your engine pic on your site shows the ground wire from the battery to the alternator bracket. That is the engine ground. The other one that goes to the fender is the body ground.

 

[agauda]

What about your belts? are they nice & snug? I once had a problem similar in my 71 chevelle and It turned out to be the ground wire in the trunk wasn't secured and came loose --- while thrashing in my trunk grounding out as I turned the car and it made a very hard problem to troubleshoot.

 

[Shawn]

The belts screech sometimes but I can't seem to get them tight enough. I think it's because of when the tranny cooler line ripped and sprayed fluid all over everything. The belts are new too.

 

[BAD415]

Most places that check alts do output test. If the diode is bad it'll still show good output but it'll drain the system on the car.
Get a new alt and external reg. They are cheap and less embarassing than a tow.

 

[chev-hell]

ALTERNATOR ez enough lucky you made it home

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members.aol.com/jnkb2cool/chevelle9.jpg members.aol.com/jnkb2cool/350.jpg
John Krenn
1970 malibu SS look-a-like well kinda
307/200-4r (soon to be 355)

Ft.Worth, Tx