alternator gauge

Author Topic: alternator gauge  (Read 1856 times)

Offline 73cuda383

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alternator gauge
« on: October 22, 2003 - 01:01:27 PM »
I stalled last night trying to get car to get suspension done :-[  The guy I bought the car from has a battery off switch. When the car is parked for a long time if I leave it on battery gets drained.  I asked why and he said the aftermarket gauges drain power slowly ??? Never heard of this. Is wiring screwed up? Also,  when idling gauge line is not in center, when I turned accessories on line went closer 1/4 to discharge side. Then with headlights on it went 1/4 closer even more to D >:( The guy told me that alternator is new so I haven't tried pulling battery cable off. I bought new battery. Should I get new alternator and voltage regulator?  :-\




Offline oldvamoparfan

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Re:alternator gauge
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2003 - 03:15:28 PM »
Sounds like something is drawing current w/ sw turned off.  Alternator can have a bad diode & still charge when it is running, but when you turn engine off, it will pull juice back out of your battery.  This can be detected either by using a professional tester, or by taking the negative cable off & touching it to the terminal to see if you draw a spark.  This actually works better if it is a little dark when you do it. If you see a spark, then something is definitely drawing current.  Everything in the car should be off, including ign switch to do this.  If there is a spark, then try pulling all the fuses & trying this again.  If no spark w/ fuses pulled, put them back one at a time & repeat spark test.  (You can use an amp meter for this if available)  If you get a spark after installing a paticular fuse, then you have found your draw.  If it does it with all fuses out, it is probably the alternator, or a grounded wire somewhere.  Ovmf  
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Offline 73cuda383

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Re:alternator gauge
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2003 - 04:35:56 PM »
Thanks, But now to the stalling issue. If I put in the new battery and pull off pos or neg cable and car still runs, great, but if it stalls should I replace alternator alone or do I also need a new voltage regulator?

The last barracuda I had always had electrical problems until a pos wire hit my header and fried everything. :o
After I redoing the wiring and changing dash gauges there were no more alternator problems.
« Last Edit: October 22, 2003 - 04:36:32 PM by 73cuda383 »

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re:alternator gauge
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2003 - 05:28:03 PM »
 :P Something sounds fishy. No gauges should drain your battery. At most, you have a clock and maybe the memory to your radio, if it's aftermarket, to drain your battery. This will take months. As for your voltage regulator question, does the gauge ever go to the "+" side? If not, I would suspect the regulator if the alternator is new.

  Mike

Mike

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Offline 73cuda383

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Re:alternator gauge
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2003 - 06:36:55 PM »
The gauge never goes to charge side even when revving engine. The headlights don't get brighter either when I rev.
So if I take of the pos cable and engine doesn't stall then will just changing voltage regulator be enough with my new battery?

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re:alternator gauge
« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2003 - 06:12:37 PM »
 :P Well...
  Basically, you have a 50/50 chance here. First off, did your alternator come with some kind of warranty? Just want to be sure, in case it's bad. The fact that you never go into the "+" area of your gauge, would mean the alternator or voltage regulator. Unfortunately, pulling off the pos. cable while running will cause the car to stall, I'm sure. The alternator could be good, but it isn't putting out anything because the regulator is out to lunch. Regulators don't cost that much, I believe, maybe take a chance on that. Wish I could help more.

  Mike

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline 73cuda383

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Re:alternator gauge
« Reply #6 on: October 24, 2003 - 10:14:23 AM »
I appreciate all the input :)
I found out today that there was a burnt wire in the harness going to the alternator. nothing else had to be changed :)
« Last Edit: October 28, 2003 - 05:09:55 PM by 73cuda383 »