Author Topic: Charging issues or ground maybe?  (Read 4245 times)

Offline ammo

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Charging issues or ground maybe?
« on: December 25, 2014 - 09:39:56 PM »
Driving home tonight in 73  340.   Dash lights and headlights dimmed real low, amp meter went to the (-).   Ran it about 5 more miles as quick as possible home to save a tow bill.    Got home, took my logic probe which is all I've got handy,  running the car has 12 volt even at battery positive terminal.     On the alternator field terminal from regulator I have 9.6 volts.  Field terminal from ignition I have 1.7 volts.  Battery terminal on back of alt has 26.5' to 29 volts.     Any ideas.. ?????
1973 dodge challenger




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #1 on: December 25, 2014 - 09:46:53 PM »
2 components , bad reg or bad diodes in the alt

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Offline 71340RT

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #2 on: December 25, 2014 - 10:14:04 PM »
2 components , bad reg or bad diodes in the alt
     :iagree:


70 Plymouth Cuda 340 4-speed
71 Dodge Challenger RT 340 automatic
1973 Dodge Challenger 360 automatic EFI
2002 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
2003 Dodge Stratus RT coupe
2009 Challenger RT Classic B5 Blue
2014 Ram Express 5.7 Hemi 4X4

Offline dodj

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #3 on: December 26, 2014 - 09:00:43 AM »
I would check vr ground first. Then BH connections. What do you mean by 26.5-29 volts at back of alt? It's putting out almost 30v?  :clueless:
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline ammo

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #4 on: December 26, 2014 - 10:05:59 AM »
I would check vr ground first. Then BH connections. What do you mean by 26.5-29 volts at back of alt? It's putting out almost 30v?  :clueless:

According to the little volt meter on my logic probe yes.    :clueless:
1973 dodge challenger

Offline ammo

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #5 on: December 26, 2014 - 11:33:52 AM »
Put in new VR, same thing.  New alt will be here this afternoon and I'll put that in.  If I still got issues I'll repost for the Mopar gods to chime in and give me some advice.   :working:
1973 dodge challenger

Offline ammo

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #6 on: December 26, 2014 - 02:10:49 PM »
New alternator installed and same thing, not charging..  Any ideas?
1973 dodge challenger

Offline brads70

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #7 on: December 26, 2014 - 02:15:23 PM »
ammeter screwed up?  :dunno:  Sounds like your alternator was overcharging?  :clueless:  Electrical is not my strong point.  :grinno:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline ammo

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #8 on: December 26, 2014 - 02:22:37 PM »
Yea Brad, think I burned a wire or lost a ground.   But don't know these old car systems well. I'm too use to using  a scan tool on newer stuff.   Hopefully Chryco and the gang will chime in soon.   But when I want rolled fenders your my guy!     :2thumbs:
1973 dodge challenger

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #9 on: December 26, 2014 - 05:02:18 PM »

If your voltage regulator is not grounded properly you will have an overcharging situation.

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1970 Cuda Clone 440 4 speed - sublime green
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Offline dodj

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #10 on: December 26, 2014 - 10:08:10 PM »
Did you check your engine/vr/rad cradle grounds yet and bulkhead connector and connector on valve cover?
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline ammo

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #11 on: December 26, 2014 - 11:30:44 PM »
Update:

In the process of moving so at the new house in florida with the dodge, a logic probe, an electric drill, and an adjustable wrench. Been putting together furniture and light fixtures, ceiling fans for days trying to get ready for family to show up tomorrow.  So when the dodge went down last night had no time to do anything other than to logic probe it since that was the only tool in the car.  So this morning ran out for VR and an alt.  all were old anyways. Put those on, same crap.  Put in new vanity lighting in a bathroom, hung a ceiling fan, sealed the grout on a bathroom floor.  Than ran back to the car for a 2 minute look.   Checked for voltage at the wire from the alt,to the battery, no power.  Tracked that wire back to the big white connector at back of manifold, melted.  Ran back to the parts store, roll of primary wire, solder, solder gun, wire strippers, electrical tape.  Chop,,cut, strip, solder, tape.   Car now charges.  Putting out about 13.7 at idled but battery is slightly discharged so alt is trying to charge that back up some.  Apparently that wire was sitting on the manifold and had melted thru in a few places.  My fault,for not taking the time to check it correctly but been kind of busy.  Now,off to switch two ceiling fans (again). Cause sent the wife a picture of them and now she thinks it looks better the way it was before, which is what I told,her to begin with. :pullinghair:

Say a prayer for me to survive the next few days of salve labor.  And IF she wants them changed back again will,someone bail me out of jail for a potential assault charge? :roflsmiley:
1973 dodge challenger

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #12 on: December 27, 2014 - 07:59:49 AM »
Where at in Fla. Ammo ?

Offline brads70

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #13 on: December 27, 2014 - 10:14:59 AM »
I hear ya.... the dreaded "Honey dew/do "list  :eek4:  I bought a new tap, sink, and counter top  for the bathroom and got the " oh sure you have time to work on your speedometer but not the bathroom"  :sly:
Hey at least you can take your car out for a rip to escape for a bit!
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline ammo

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Re: Charging issues or ground maybe?
« Reply #14 on: December 27, 2014 - 12:14:58 PM »
Where at in Fla. Ammo ?
.   

Jacksonville
1973 dodge challenger