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electrical bugs
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10085		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  oibrownskin [ Wed Aug 11, 2004 4:14 pm ]
Post subject:  electrical bugs
Ok after having the worst day in recent memory I am about to kill my car and myself.

I will set up scenario so all info is out there.
Alternator is a few months old on a 1966 Dodge dart, 225 slant six. I have upgraded the car to electronic ignition with orange ecu and elect. dist.

I was dirving downt the street and the car just shut off. I jump started the car and then disconnected the battery and the car died instantly; alternator right?

So that same day after walking about 3 miles all over town, I change out alternators and jump start the car and drive it home to my mom's house about 30 miles away and on the way I turn on the head lights WHILE driving and the car begins to misfire.

Get home, park the car, and turn it off. I then proceed to turn the car back on and NOTHING. A few clicks from the starter, but not enough from the battery to start the car.

Alternator is new, but I think it might be wrong one, will replace today most likely. Is battery drained completely from running the car on it's own? IS my voltage regulator dead or shorted, when I touched it it was hot? Is my wiring system bad? what on earth should I check that I have not already. I had the alternator bench tested before I took it from the parts store and they said it was ok. what on earth is my car doing? I wouldnt be pissed except this is like the 6th time this has happened since the beginning of the year.

Thanks

caesar
Author:  Thropar [ Wed Aug 11, 2004 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Ammeter
i would remove the guage cluster and check the ammeter connections, preferabley remove the ammeter altogether and run a solid line from the alternator to the battery with a fuse in it, bypassing the ammeter. the ammeter is a really bad design in these cars and they always go wacky and melt wires.

when you do this, you will find a "3 way" soldered connection in the wiring harness which powers the main fuse box, which you can re route a feed from the battery and put a fuse in this line as well.

do a search on this site for 'ammeter, amp meter, wiring, charging system, alternator upgrade' and you will find tons of info on it.

I had a gremlin until i did this and now it hasn't given me a bit of trouble... by the way, the '66 Dart style is sweet, let me know if you want to get rid of it :)
Author:  slantvaliant [ Thu Aug 12, 2004 7:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Before you spend any money, check whole charging system. It could be the voltage regulator, battery, bad connection ...
When you switched to electronic ignition, did you go to a solid state regulator? It's usually recommended. I use a solid state replacement in my '64, but you could also convert to the newer electronic style with some rewiring.
Charge the battery and start the car. What does the ammeter do while that is going on? Check voltage at the battery before cranking and while it's running.
Some of the auto parts stores will check the VR, battery, and alternator on the car, if you can get it to their parking lot. That might be worth the effort.
Let us know what results you get!
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