Won't Start without Boost.....Headlights / Signals Fading??

[woody9512]

   Here is what my 71 Cuda 340 has been doing for sometime, I don't drive it very much, for this reason, and am really looking for suggestions as to what the problem might be?? I'm not that mechanical / electrical smart which doesn't help!! Car has newer battery and I just installed a new altenator yesterday but it's still the same!!  Before I decided to add the new alternator I always needed to boost the car with a power pack to get it started. Run for a bit and the signals would flash faster as the rpms increased also the headlights would get brighter with more RPM........Dimmer with less RPM and the signals slower. I installed the new alternator today thinking that would solve my problems, alternator was old anyways and wanted to freshen the car up so not money wasted in my mind anyways!  Still the same problem? Even with new alternator as I let the car run for quite a while the headlights would get brignter as I increaded the RPM's signals flashed faster / less RMP headlights dimmer / signals slower?? When I shut the car off and tried to restart it, not enough juice in the battery to turn the car over???  Tested the battery and it's good..............So any ideas as to what it might be that I need to replace / check wires.....ETC!!
Thanks!
"Tim"

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Right off the top of my head I'm wondering what size the pulley is on your alternator. I don't know what I have off hand, but I don't have dimming problems at idle. Smaller diameter pulley = more output of the alternator.

[woody9512]

The new alternator is the exact same as my old one that I took off hoping to solve my probelm! I got it from Mancini Racing in Michigan and they assure me it's correct for the car!
Keeping my fingerd crossed that I can get it solved!
Tim

[woody9512]

I was doing some reading and could a bad voltage regulator cause the issues that I'm having with the car???   Sounds like it's the brains of the system?? Anyway for me to check to see if it's a bad regulator?
"Tim"

[brads70]

I was doing some reading and could a bad voltage regulator cause the issues that I'm having with the car???   Sounds like it's the brains of the system?? Anyway for me to check to see if it's a bad regulator?
"Tim"

What's your AMP gauge doing while running? They are cheap enough I'd try a new one. It's a good thing to keep a spare of anyhow.

[woody9512]

Guage in my car doesn't work! 
Like I said I'm kind of a dummy when I comes to electrical issues! I read a bit on some other electrical sites and as to similiar issues and could it be possible that a bad voltage regulator could be the root of my problems??  They are fairly cheap but just wonder if there is a way to test mine??  Like I said I'm dangerous with things electrical.
'TIM"

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Tim,

   I believe you can get a new voltage regulator for $20 or less. Make sure it has a good clean connection to the body of the car. Not tons of crusty rust behind it.

  You say your Amp gauge doesn't work, but it must be working somewhat if your electrics are working, and you can start the car. I'm not sure if an Amp gauge needle would not work, yet the gauge still functions. (I hope I didn't lose you there). In other words, you needle is hanging in the middle instead of giving you a discharge situation, which I believe you have. It should go to "charge" as soon as you start the car.

[72rtchallenger]

for sure change out the voltage regulator,,its cheap and probably needs replaced anyways,,then see what happens from there 

[Bullitt-]

 Clean all connections then pop a new voltage regulator on & if that does not fix it do this if you have not already.  Run new heavy gauge wire from the alternator output post to the positive battery or start relay with a section of fusible link at the battery end.  Originally all the output from the alternator goes through the bulkhead connector then through the amp meter (which you say is not working) then back through the bulkhead to the battery. Anywhere along the way a bad connection can be causing charging issues.

[72cudamaan]

What did you use to test the battery? I  would think that if the lights are getting brighter when the rpm's go up, that the charging system is functioning somewhat. But you need to find out how much voltage you are putting back into the battery. Newer battery doesn't always mean good battery. Do you have a good multimeter to test running voltage?
If not, you can always full field the alternator and see if the amp gauge jumps to high charge. Only do this momentarily so as not to damage
the alternator or battery.

[the_engineers]

Get a voltage meter that plugs into your cigarette lighter. Then you can see your voltage as you run the car and cycle through the RPM's

[woody9512]

Thanks for all the great information. I will advise how I make out.  Thanks again.   
"Tim"

[mopar12372]

goto mancini raceing and buy the upgrade kit   http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/delialbrpk.html  . spendy but worth it . i absulutely dont like mopar wireing / chargeing system.over charges under charges wireing burns up regulaters fry for no reason and most of the repop stuff is junk.    there are people that like it .  myop

[woody9512]

I have bought several things from Mancini racing in the past as I'm fairly close to them! 

[mopar12372]

wish i was,  shipping usually kills the purchase.