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Author
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Topic: Stupid charging problems?
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Hell_Fish
Gearhead Posts: 672
From: Austin, TX.
Registered: May 2002
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posted 12-02-2002 10:05 AM
   
This weekend I took the 69 out for a spin. It drove fine to and from dinner and to and from a party. Started right up each time. I went to get gas after the party and she would start back up. I got a jump and went home. I noticed that after the jump, my turn signals stoped working. The battery is 2 weeks old. The alt gadge(stock) reads dead center. Where should I start looking for the problem? Are the 2 related?Thanks,
Dustin C
1969 Mustang coupe
302, C9 heads, 4 bbl, AT, granny gears
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 877
From: Lafayette, IN, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 12-02-2002 10:19 AM
My alternator gauge reads dead center also, There are two conflicting stories about the ammeters.
1) they are not ammeters but voltmeters, they should measure the slight differences in voltages when charging or discharching, this is then "equated" to charging amps.
2) they ARE ammeters but are not connected up to operate. You need to remove a "shunt" wire then they will operate.If number 1 is true then a lot of us have broken meters. If number 2 is true then someone please tell me how to make it work because there are no instructions in my haynes manual or any shop manual that I have access too!! Mine is a 68 im sure it's similar to the 69. ANYWAY... you can test to see if your car is charging by cehcking the battery voltage while the car is running. It should be about 14 volts or higher (mine reads 14.5) If its not charging then it could be the voltage regualtor or the alternator. You will want to see if you have power on the field wire to the alternator while you have the engine running. If you do (and the car isnt charging) then something is wrong with the alternator. I went through this with my car not long ago.
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Hell_Fish
Gearhead Posts: 672
From: Austin, TX.
Registered: May 2002
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posted 12-02-2002 11:20 AM
I will have to start checking stuff out. All I have done so far is have the old battery test(bad cell) and I disconnected the battery while the car was running and it stayed running. Not much for a test, but a small start.
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19751
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-02-2002 11:52 AM
Do the simple mechanics test if you don't have a volt/am meter HF. Loosen up the positive battery cable then start the car. Pull the cable off while running. If it quits, you pretty much have an alternator or regulator problem.  ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
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Hell_Fish
Gearhead Posts: 672
From: Austin, TX.
Registered: May 2002
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posted 12-02-2002 02:20 PM
Alex, I did that with the old battery 2 weeks ago. Could a starter be drawing too much juice at start up?
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 877
From: Lafayette, IN, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 12-02-2002 02:34 PM
perhaps you have a fault elsewhere that is leaking power while you have the car switched off. Sounds like the alternator/regulator is working though.
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dubstar
Gearhead Posts: 423
From: Long Beach, Ca 1966 A-Code Coupe
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-02-2002 02:48 PM
my headlights sometimes stay on when i turn them off.. try checking there. your radio could be on, mine stays on without the key, and i never hooked up my light, so i cant tell if its on or off at night sometimes, i have to double check it. just a small idea.------------------
Tuesday's Gone With The Wind.
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Hell_Fish
Gearhead Posts: 672
From: Austin, TX.
Registered: May 2002
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posted 12-03-2002 12:31 PM
It never seems to have a problem when its cold. Only when warmed up some. Wonder if the starter it overheating!
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19751
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-03-2002 12:49 PM
What size starter cable do you have HF? If you have one of those pee pee 6 guage cables going from the solenoid to the starter you may have a ton of resistance. Easy way to tell is when the engine is hot try cranking it over and grab the cable. If it is hot then that may be your problem. Of course if you have a current draw meter yo can just place it on the cable and that will tell you if the cable or starter is drawing too much current. ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
IP: Logged |
Hell_Fish
Gearhead Posts: 672
From: Austin, TX.
Registered: May 2002
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posted 12-03-2002 02:12 PM
I will have to check that out. I would much rather change a cable than a starter. I gotta keep reminding myself about K.I.S.S. 
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