Charging Problems.

[QuartermileCuda]

For a wile now I have been having trouble with the charging system on my 'Cuda. Everything will be working as it should then my lights will either dim or go super bright in a spasm. The volt meter will also spas with the lights. In previous Attempts I have replaced the volt reg with new good and premium units thinking that I just had that one bad unit. They all would work for a couple weeks but then start having the same problem. The only thing that I think could be making them go bad is my sound system and that the bumps from my sub works the regulator to hard and shortens the life of them. To make up for the power demand I have upgraded my alt to a 115 and my battery to a yellow top. Anyone else have this problem or have any idea of how I could fix it? Is there another voltage regulator out there that I could use?

[dodj]

Is your wiring system stock original? How did you get the power for your stereo inside - separate wire or off of the existing wiring?

[ShelbyDogg]

You have to make sure that your voltage regulator never loses it's ground. Put star washers between it and the firewall. Follow those up by taking off your cowl vent, putting nuts inside, to backup the bolts that hold the voltage regulator, then crank them down tight.     I have a 1000 watt amp and sub in my trunk. I never have voltage issues but I also have wired the alternator straight to the starter relay bolt. With that big alternator, you need to run at least a 8 guage wire with some fusible link wire as a fuse. What does your voltmeter read when the lights go bright?

[Supercuda]

I'm betting that the voltage is at least 16, and probably nearer to 18 volts when the lights go bright. This is usually a problem in the ground side of the circuit, and often is corrosion or a bad connection at the battery or at the engine, where the big cable grounds. This results in a lot of wacky problems, usually with high-load circuits, like the alternator. The voltage regulator thinks that the battery is discharged, and tries to charge it up by going full field.

[QuartermileCuda]

You have to make sure that your voltage regulator never loses it's ground. Put star washers between it and the firewall. Follow those up by taking off your cowl vent, putting nuts inside, to backup the bolts that hold the voltage regulator, then crank them down tight.     I have a 1000 watt amp and sub in my trunk. I never have voltage issues but I also have wired the alternator straight to the starter relay bolt. With that big alternator, you need to run at least a 8 guage wire with some fusible link wire as a fuse. What does your voltmeter read when the lights go bright?

I have the ralley dash so I have no idea how much its putting out but when it has its problems the needle likes to peg itself. I would guess around 18. I will create a better ground for the box by getting some washers and bolts. Ill make sure to check all of my other grounds and wires to make sure everything is good. Everything is on a new replacement harness. I have a 4 gauge wire running to the back of the car to power my amp with an in line fuse.

[ShelbyDogg]

You said that you had a voltmeter so I assumed you had a voltmeter. Now I'm guessing that you have an AMP Guage.  WHen it pegs to the right, you have a dead short and smoke will start releasing itself from somewhere. If it pegs to the left, then your Alternator stopped charging or lost it's connection to the battery either at the bulkhead connectors or a bad ground at the voltage regulator.     

You can get a voltmeter rhar plugs into the cigar lighter at a boat store and sometimes Walmart.

If you are losing your battery connection somewhere, your alternator will self excite without a load, all your lights will get brighter then will all burn out.

[dodj]

I have a 4 gauge wire running to the back of the car to power my amp with an in line fuse.

Connected to the alt o/p or from inside the passenger compartment. I'm asking just to see if you have a high load going through your bulkhead connector - which will give you a lot of problems if you do.

You said that you had a voltmeter so I assumed you had a voltmeter.

Well that's just silly. 

[QuartermileCuda]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. That was my bad. Just to make sure that things are clear I will re explain what happens with a better description.
The Charging system will be fine when driving around with the sound system on at any level. The power demand is not to where the charging system cant handle it and just causes my amp meter to jump slightly every time the sub bumps. Then out of nowhere the AMP meter needle will start moving around rapidly on the charge side pegging itself sometimes. The lights will also put on their show of going bright when this happens. I shut the system off as soon as one of these attacks occur but it doesn't correct itself and I wait for it to ride out. Once it stops everything goes back to normal including the lights. Then I just wait for the next attack.

 I will stop by my Walmart sometime tomorrow and see if there is something I can get. I should have one anyway.

[dodj]

It seems to me to be a bad connection(s) somewhere. Faulty parts don't fix themselves but connections can come and go for a while before they quit entirely.
I'd go through all the connectors and especially the ammeter connections and the VR ground.

[QuartermileCuda]

That will be the first thing I tackle tomorrow morning before school. Then Ill be able to get some driving time in all day and see if she goes into one of her moods. Ill let you guys know how it goes.

[ShelbyDogg]

Make sure that you do the star washers and nuts behind the cowl to get the voltage regulator tight, then watch the ammeter again. If it pegs, somethhing is shorting out somewhere.

My sub is hooked to the battery and the little radio blue wire turns it on. If yours is the same, look elsewhere. Whatever is causing it to pull that much amperage will show itself soon.    I have the little quick disconnect knob on my negative post. If you don't have one, I'd put one on. It would be hard to find a half inch wrench when your wiring starts on fire.

[QuartermileCuda]

Made sure the VR had a good ground and so far there have not been any problems. Ill start driving the car with the sound system on to see if it holds up.

ShelbyDogg. Do you have a Capacitor in you car? Think one could help?

[ShelbyDogg]

ShelbyDogg. Do you have a Capacitor in you car? Think one could help?

I don't have a Cap with my sub and I don't think that will help your charging problem. If you think it is, leave your amp disconnected for a few trips and see if you ammeter still spazzes out.