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Author
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Topic: Another electrical problem
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1381
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-28-2002 11:28 AM
   
I'm seeing a weird elec problem with a '65 Mustang. Sometimes all the lights will flash in the dash as if a blinker is running in the system. It will happen at all rpms and the flashing speed changes from time to time, but it doesn't do it all the time. Even the guages will fluctuate sometimes. It has a newer solid state regulator but everything else is original. Can someone that has fixed this same problem give me some experienced advise on what you did to fix it.Thanks
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V8 Thumper
Gearhead Posts: 3603
From: Orange, Ca. United States of America
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 12-28-2002 11:35 AM
You say it's got a new regulator, how about the alternator? I always understood to replace them together... the symptoms sound to me like a regulator problem... which could be the case if the alt is bad, causing your reg to fail prematurely  Just a guess. ------------------
1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9" All Blue Oval, no blue bottle
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/V8Thumper.html
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1381
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-28-2002 11:50 AM
It is charging and running fine because I've drove the car around the block a few times and the owner said he has never had any starting problems. I've checked all the grounds and even added an extra ground strap from the body to the engine, and grounded the neg. post to the body, but no change in the fluctuating lights and guages. I'll be checking back in later this evening. Hopefully someone here can lead me in the right direction. I've got to go help a bro-in-law get his new Comp XE cam tuned in a SB chevy Nova, so he can give my new 331 stroker some competition.  Later,
Dan [This message has been edited by bluestreek (edited 12-28-2002).]
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Hemikiller
Gearhead Posts: 404
From: Clinton, CT
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-28-2002 11:53 AM
If the voltage regulator is incorrect or bad it will cause that problem. My '72 T-bird had it, changed the voltage regulator and cleaned the grounds and it went away. Wouldn't hurt to change the alternator too since they are so darn cheap.
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69 Sportsroof
Gearhead Posts: 1226
From: Valley, Alabama, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-28-2002 02:05 PM
Isn't there a voltage regulator for the instrument panel on early Mustangs?
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1381
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-29-2002 03:14 AM
I don't know. Is there?? 
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 34763
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-29-2002 06:52 PM
Yes there is, an Instrument Voltage Regulator. It wouldn't affect the dash lights, though.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Be sure to remember our sponsors, Mustangs Plus, NPD, and Osborn Reproductions.
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soaring
Gearhead Posts: 116
From: New Mexico
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted 12-29-2002 07:23 PM
I pulled a doofus last summer and hooked my positive cable from the battery to ground. Naturally, it fried the Alternator. When I replaced it, I was given advice to also replace the regulator. Maybe that is the reason I don't have flashing lights. 
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RonnieT
Gearhead Posts: 685
From: Port Allen, La. 70767
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 12-29-2002 08:10 PM
One thing to look at with the instrument cluster lights is the headlight switch. My lights go on and off at times and it is the switch. Try dimming and then turning them back up while they are flashing and see if it changes things. Might be time for a new switch.------------------
Ronnie
69 mach1 351W-4V engineless at the time!
70 Torino GT 351C-4v with a "shaker"
Mustangs and More Member #23
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1381
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-29-2002 10:40 PM
Would it be OK to try out an alternator that I know is good, from another Mustang before buying one?
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soaring
Gearhead Posts: 116
From: New Mexico
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted 12-30-2002 04:01 AM
Ronnie may have hit on something. Check your light switch as he has suggested. Yes, you can try another alternator, but if the one you are using charges, then it is good to go. Either the regulator or the light switch is most likely the culprit. ------------------
http://www.classic-mustang.net/ReadersRides/glenwren3.jpg
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1381
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-30-2002 11:33 AM
quote:
Originally posted by soaring:
Ronnie may have hit on something. Check your light switch as he has suggested. Yes, you can try another alternator, but if the one you are using charges, then it is good to go. Either the regulator or the light switch is most likely the culprit.
Do you mean the alternator Reg or the dash Reg? Where is the dash Reg located on a '65. The guages are fluctuating sometimes too and the radio turns itself up. I think it's haunted!! kinda like Cristine! maybe I should call an exorsist!
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Jeff
Gearhead Posts: 280
From: Moore, OK USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 12-30-2002 02:11 PM
Sounds like you have a loose or broken wire somewhere in the harness. The yellow "B" supply wire is likely the one causing the problem. Another possibility is the ignition switch. It provides "ACC" voltage to all the accessories. An excessively worn switch can cause wierd problems like this.Have you tried cleaning the pins on the firewall plugs? One nearest the left fender apron is the lighting harness plug and its the most likely to cause symptoms you describe. Pull it loose from under hood, clean the male and female pins and reconnect. I use a drill motor and small bit wrapped with steel wool to polish the pins. Vaccuum up any steel wool chad and reconnect.
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1381
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-30-2002 11:27 PM
Thanks.
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1381
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-31-2002 02:47 AM
I found this large schematic to help me out:66 interior schematic
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