Author Topic: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM  (Read 3081 times)

Offline 70 Grand Coupe

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70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« on: April 09, 2016 - 07:17:21 PM »
I have installed the 2nd brand new 60amp alternator into the Cuda. The alternator is putting out 12amp. The charging tester does not even read cuz its in the 12V zone, in order to read low it should be in the 13V zone. The D/C gauge in the car shows the needle leaning towards/off centre towards the Discharge. When the signals are on, the needle drops or moves even more towards the D in sink with the signal.

Any thoughts where I should be looking/trouble shooting?


Regards,

Darcy

 :canada:




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2016 - 09:21:35 PM »
sounds like a regulator problem , you need to check for 13v feed on the blue field wire to the Alt & at the regulator , the regulator needs to be grounded & if the epoxy on the back of the reg has separated from the body moisture may have got in there terminating the reg .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline whitewatersky

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2016 - 01:09:59 AM »
my lights & indicators are super dim unless I'm on the gas.

I'm sure people in front of me think I'm flashing my lights at them as I accelerate more

I haven't got any voltage readings yet, but I wonder if it's the regulator?

would that make sense?

car is running fine otherwise.

we installed a brand new regulator (old one was oozing when I got the T/A)
Plum Crazy auto T/A Challenger

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2016 - 09:52:56 AM »
Had the dimming headlamp problem way back when so I went through every connection & ground burnishing them all..problem solved.
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline LAA66

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2016 - 11:33:57 AM »
 Mine would randomly not show a charge. Adding a ground wire from the regulator to the engine solved it.

Offline dodj

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2016 - 08:13:05 PM »
my lights & indicators are super dim unless I'm on the gas.
:iagree:  with bullitt
A few poor connections creating voltage drops in your lighting system and you end up with only 9-11 volts at the lights.
Seeing as your lights are very dim, I would check/clean those connections sooner rather than later. Those poor connections that are dropping some voltage are also creating heat. It's not uncommon to melt down a connector....or worse.
Scott
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2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
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Offline whitewatersky

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2016 - 11:28:32 PM »
thanks gang
i'll give it a shot.
i'll also confirm regulator grounding

 :cheers:

Plum Crazy auto T/A Challenger

Offline Lbs

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2016 - 11:32:36 PM »
This gets mentioned in every thread with the alternator and dim lights and burning mopars in it. :smile.......l am in the middle of doing the amp gauge bypass and adding a bunch of relays to the headlights, electric fan and fuel pump. Here is the website that will spell it all out for you with pictures, drawings, and all the info you should need. Cheers
www.madelectrical.com

Offline YellowThumper

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2016 - 10:20:51 AM »
X2 on madelectrical's awsome writeup on these things...
Removing the warning labels one at a time.
Nature will take care of the rest.

Offline 70 Grand Coupe

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM **UPDATE**
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2016 - 02:05:32 PM »
I checked the voltage regulator, cleaned the connectors, confirmed good ground and fired her up. The alternator was putting out 16volt. Took it for a quick spin and radio stopped working, bluetooth etc. So I swapped out the regulator with one from my previous 70 Grand Coupe.......the backing looked good, cleaned the connectors and battled with the (2) nuts under the cowling  :banghead: :swear:.

The alternator was putting out 17.5volts and regulator got hot real fast. I take it the NOS was crap? Can anyone confirm?


Darcy

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2016 - 07:26:34 AM »
One possibility I've heard of is a weak signal getting to the voltage regulator due to poor connections etc.
Check if the blue wire at the VR is reading the same as battery voltage.. If much lower it is sensing the battery needs charging.
If so finding the reason for the drop in voltage to the blue wire will be the only remedy.
If not the voltage regulator would be my suspicion. 
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
Screwed by Photobucket!

Offline 70 Grand Coupe

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Re: 70 BARRACUDA ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING SYSTEM
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2016 - 06:48:18 PM »
UPDATE: RAW POWER 7024N.......... WRONG ALTERNATOR  :banghead:.

I was able to track down a new Wilson voltage regulator. Once I installed it, it was the same thing, the alternator was putting out and the battery was receiving 17-18V. Once I unplugged the VR the output dropped to 13.5V and the battery was at 12V.

So I ended up changing out the brand new alternator for the old one I pulled when all these issues began, I.e. faulty VR (hind site). Fired her up with the brand new VR plugged in and u guessed it.........OLD ALTERNATOR OUTPUT: 14.2V, BATTERY: 14V.  :drooling bounce:

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RAW POWER 7024N HAS ITS OWN BUILT IN VR AND THAT WREAKED HAVOC WITH BOTH SYSTEMS? I THINK I READ SOME THAT ALTERNATORS DO HAVE BUILT IN VR.

Anyhow, once again, I am eternally grateful for everyones input and advise. A ROUND FOR THE HOUSE  :cheers: NATROVIA!


Regards,

Darcy

 :canada: