(IT'S OK) What the heck did I do?

[Bob]

Ok gave up on the cat and went to start the car and now it's dead. I am charging the battery now with it in the car and decided to do some of the recomended checks. Everything seemed ok until I disconected the main alternator wire and checked for voltage with the switch off and the keys in my pocket. 12.2 volts on the alternator wire. Ignition switch maybe?

[Bob]

Anyone? ........................pretty please.........................

[Bob]

This is to me Alternators should have power at the main. DUH Bob. I can't beleive myself sometime. Ive always disconected the battery before changing a alternator. Doh.

[Bob]

Before I laid out more cash I took 2 alternators and 2 voltage regulators to an electrical shop to have them tested. Should know this week as to there status.

[Bob]

Well, the electrical shop called and stated the alternators and voltage regulators are working properly. The hunt continues.

[Nacho-RT74]

I'm pretty lost on your problem

[Bob]

As with most electrical problems it will be something obvious or just plain simple.

[Bob]

When I installed the alt and volt reg I ran a ground wire from the volt  reg mounting bot to the engine ground strap on the firewall and low and behold it charges. I think the neighbors heard me holler. I think it was always a ground problem and the dixie horns was coincidental.
Thanks All

[Nacho-RT74]

GREAT!!! as you stated, pretty simple

[Bob]

Went out for a Christmas spin and before I got home. NO CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here I go again.

[charger Downunder]

Undo and clean the two plastic wire conectors that come down from the steering column , the big wide flat ones,They build up resistance over the years and need to be cleaned, and cause all sorts of strange electrical problems,if you see some browning at the conection,that will more than likely be your problem source.

[Bob]

Will do.
Thanks

[Nacho-RT74]

mmm... good to check there since is true get loose and dirty, but really there is not the problem. If engine runs, and being true that engine is getting power from ignition column plug, then that plug is working. Probably cleaning will work better and save from some heating but still should charge.


as some earliers threads I posted check on both plugs ( green and blue ) on brushes... clean adn tight. Check for good ground on voltage regulator.

If you want to know if regulator is working or not, make this... unplug regulator plug and ground the green wire. Make sure you are at iddle not fast idling while warming engine because you will get max juice. If you get charge, then regulator went bad.

another points to check... ammeter studs, alt stud, starter relay stud... everyone clean and tight.

For manteniance, I would check bulkhead conectors too. Is time to do it!!!!

If ANYTHING did work, then alt went bad ( diodes and rotor are mostly the reasons. )

[NMike]

with the alt output of 22 volts, the alt is at 100% output. while the engine is running (leave a battery with jumper cables on it) have the black connector on the NEGATIVE battery post.

quick check to see what the battery voltage is at the battery terminals while running. if around 12 you have no charging, battery may be junk, but still no charging.

now touch the CLAMP of the Negative terminal to see a voltage drop. (leave it on DC voltage test) you want to see 0volts. that means there is no resistance. do the same for the positive. this checks that the terminals are clean on the inside with good continuity.

now leave the black lead from the Digtal Volt Meter (DVOM) on the negative post. check with the red lead to the grounding location on the block, chassis, alternator and regulator(if the two wire system) all should be 0. if there is a voltage reading you have a problem there.

now switch the BLACK DVOM lead to the POSITIVE terminal. check with  the red lead at the starter relay, positive side of the voltage regulator and the back of the alt. you said that the back of the ALT had 22 volts before. i am suspecting that he charging cable from the ALT is not reaching its final destination of the battery terminal. just follow along and see where the voltage changes.

[Nacho-RT74]

whoooaaaat ?

I have to read SLOOOOWLY that

[Bob]

I wil let everyone know what I find out.
Thanks

[Bob]

Well, Saturday while I was changing the plugs and oil I decided to push on a few wires here and there. The bulk head connector and the alt wires. After everything was done I fired him up and everything is working. Went out for a 40 minute ride and it kept charging. Hopefully it's all over. I believe the bulk head connector may have been the problem. I thought I heard a slight "click" when I pushed on it. That would have meant it was not locked.

Bob

[1969chargerrtse]

You made that?    Dang there's a lot of talent on this site.